'Didn’t think twice, gave his life to save people': Pahalgam pony ride operator made the ultimate sacrifice

Srinagar: As bullets rained down on terrified tourists in lush meadows of Baisaran in Pahalgam hill station of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday, one man chose to stand between life and death—not for himself, but for others.

Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a 28-year-old Muslim pony ride operator, became a symbol of brotherhood and bravery on Tuesday when he laid down his life to protect a group of non-Muslim tourists during a brutal terror attack.

The attackers, targeting civilians after forcing them to disclose their religion, left 27 people dead in what has become one of the darkest days in recent memory for Kashmir.

Adil, who had spent his day ferrying tourists on horseback to Baisaran—often referred to as “mini Switzerland” for its scenic beauty—was guiding a family when the gunmen opened fire.

Eyewitnesses recount that instead of fleeing, Adil rushed toward one of the terrorists and tried to wrestle the weapon away, creating a split-second distraction that gave the tourists a chance to escape.

He didn’t succeed and was shot dead on the spot by the terrorists. But in that moment of bravery, Shah gave tourists he was guiding a chance to run for cover. His act of defiance is now being remembered across Kashmir and beyond—not just as a tale of courage, but as a symbol of humanity that transcends faith.

“He didn’t think twice. He saw the gun aimed at the tourists and jumped in front of them,” Ghulam Nabi, another pony operator told DH over phone. “He gave his life to save people he had just met.”

Shot dead on the spot, Adil became a beacon of the values that no bullet can kill—compassion, unity, and the courage to stand against hate. His tragic death has left his family in mourning, struggling to cope with the loss, and asking for justice for the loss of the innocent man.

His mother, weeping by the door of their modest home, remembered her son as the soul of the family. “He was everything to us. He earned for the house, looked after us, and lived with dignity,” she said, her voice trembling. “Now he is gone, and we are lost. But he died doing something noble… something I will always be proud of.”

His mother, her voice broken by tears, spoke of the irreplaceable loss of her son and said, “He was the only support we had. He used to ride horses and earned money for the family. There is no one else to provide for us now. We don't know what we will do without him.”

In a region often painted with the brush of conflict, Adil’s story is a reminder of the shared humanity that binds people beyond religion or background. His death has united locals and tourists alike in mourning—and in respect.

“He didn’t die for a cause written in manifestos. He died for a cause written in the human heart,” said Imtiyaz Lone, a local shopkeeper who had known Adil since childhood. “In a time when terrorists tried to divide us with hate, a Muslim man gave his life to protect his non-Muslim brothers and sisters. That is Kashmir. That is what this land truly stands for.”

“When terrorists came to divide us with bullets, Adil stood tall with love,” Lone said. “He didn’t just save lives—he saved our collective conscience.”

In the heart of a tragedy, Adil reminded the world of a truth we must never forget: that humanity is stronger than hate, and love—given freely, even to strangers—is the most powerful act of all.