Odisha tourist killed in Pahalgam terror attack: Crestfallen wife recounts traumatic experience

An Odisha tourist, Prashant Satpathy, tragically lost his life during a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in the scenic region of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. Satpathy was enjoying his holiday with his family when the incident took place. His wife, Priyadarshini Satpathy, and their young son, aged nine, were present during the unsettling incident. 

Following the attack, a grieving Priyadarshini recounted the traumatic experience, highlighting the suddenness and fear inflicted by the terrorists.

Holiday turns into horror

"I, along with my husband Prashant Satpathy and nine-year-old son, had come to Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy our holiday by availing LTC (Leave Travel Concession). However, there was a sudden firing in the area by some unidentified persons when we were alighting from a ropeway. Around 20 to 21 people died on the spot, and some others sustained injuries. My husband also suffered a gunshot on the left side of his head," said Priyadarshini.

"He was rescued by the Army personnel and taken to a hospital for medical care. I was clueless about his whereabouts for a long time. He sustained a bullet injury to his head. Later, I was told by some Army personnel that he had been taken for post-mortem," she added.

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"After sustaining the gunshot, he was conscious for a long time. Later, he could not recognise me. Army personnel took around one and a half hours to reach the spot to carry out the rescue operation," said Priyadarshini, highlighting the distressing situation in the area.

Family members crestfallen

As per reports, Prashant is a resident of Ishani village under Remuna block in Balasore district. He along with his family members had been to Pahalgam on April 20 to enjoy their holiday. 

"My younger brother's wife called my mother and narrated about the incident at Pahalgam. When we called her again, she told us that Prashant's body was taken for a post-mortem. She was crying uncontrollably," said Prashant's elder brother in Balasore.

Later, the death of the Odia tourist was confirmed after contact on the helpline number issued by the J&K Police. The death was confirmed by Anantnag Police.

As per reports, the incident occurred at around 3 pm when terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran valley and started firing at the tourists who frequent the place, which is often dubbed as ‘mini Switzerland’ because of its long, lush green meadows.