Srinagar, August 6
The pilgrims ran for their lives as the militant sprayed a volley of bullets and grenades on the sleeping devotees.Reshap Kumar, who is recovering at a hospital here, said the lone militant fired a volley of bullets and hurled grenades at the sleeping pilgrims.
“We were sleeping when we heard the firing of shots,” he said.
Mr Reshap Kumar was hit by a bullet in his back and fell unconscious. He could not recall what happened after that.
Another eyewitness, Jagmohan Singh from Delhi, had arrived at the base camp late last night after performing darshan at the holy cave shrine.
“People ducked for cover when we heard the gunshots and blasts which continued for nearly an hour,” Mr Jagmohan Singh, who was accompanying an injured to the hospital, said.
Rajwant Soni said he saw several people lying on the ground and counted at least six dead. There could be more but I do not know, he added.
Undeterred by this morning’s attack, the pilgrims expressed their determination to complete the yatra. They said: “We want to fulfil the dream of visiting the holy cave and gain the blessings of Lord Shiva”.
“It was around 5.15 am when two to three blasts followed by intense firing for nearly one hour caused panic among the pilgrims camping at the Nunwan base camp. We were preparing for our onward journey to the cave and were standing in a queue outside when bullets started raining everywhere,” said Savita, while attending her mother, at a hospital in Srinagar.
Jamna, from village Pedled in Khera district of Gujarat received bullet wounds. She said her dream to visit the cave has shattered. Savita, however, said she would help her mother visit the holy cave.
“We were part of a group of 50 pilgrims from Gujarat and had arrived at Pahalgam only last evening, said Radha Devi. “I am hopeful of our onward journey,” she added.
About 3000 pilgrims were
at the base camp when it was attacked. “We don’t know the number of militants involved in the attack. It
was dark and the blasts and firing confused us,” said Jagmohan Singh. Krishna and Sonali, two sisters from Gujarat were shell-shocked as their mother, Jaintikaben was hit by three bullets.
“We don’t know what had happened. It was blasts, firing and cries all over,” they said.
“We don’t know what to do next. Our father, Suraikant Bhai will decide whether we leave for home or stay back to complete the pilgrimage,” they said while praising locals for the help they rendered.
“Our mother was saved by the local Muslims. We don’t know where our other members of the group including our father had gone and what is their fate,” the girls said.
A group of Delhiites, who had darshan at the cave and were about to leave Pahalgam said they rescued their friend, Amandeep while the militant was showering bullets.
Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Beawar-Bijbehara and working in the notified area committee said he received bullet wounds in his left leg when he tried to rescue a pilgrim who was hit by a bullet.
PTI
