‘Had to walk for hours to reach safely’

Dombivli: During a press conference held by the families of the victims, Harshal Lele recounted the terrifying moments of the attack. "When the shooting started, my hand was on my father's head. I felt something hit my hand, and I thought I had been shot. When I looked up, my father's head was covered in blood," he said, his voice breaking with emotion.

Local residents advised the terrified tourists to prioritize their safety and escape the area, as only horses could navigate the terrain. Harshal described the chaotic scene, where they had to walk for hours to reach safely. His mother, who suffers from paralysis on her left side, required assistance to evacuate. Fortunately, they managed to find a horse to help her down the mountain.

After the attack, Harshal learned of the deaths of his father and two other family members. "I was called to identify the bodies in the morning. Until then, no one had informed me," he said, expressing the shock and sorrow that enveloped him. The families of the victims are now calling for support from the government, particularly for the education of the children left behind, as many of the deceased were the primary earners in their households.

No protective measures

The attack has raised serious questions about security in tourist areas, with Harshal noting the absence of any protective measures at the site. Eyewitness accounts describe the attackers as appearing like characters from a movie, dressed in brown clothing and armed with weapons. "We saw two of them, but there may have been more," he stated, urging the nation to stand firm against terrorism and calling for decisive action against those responsible.

"These terrorists should be caught and punished severely. Pakistan must be held accountable for its role in fostering terrorism," said Prasad Soman, a relative of one of the victims.