Kashmiri Guide Nazakat Ali Details How He Saved 11 Tourists In Pahalgam Attack
Kashmiri guide Nazakat Ali saved 11 tourists during 2025 Pahalgam attack, later recounts rescue story.
On the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, a Kashmiri tour guide has recounted how he helped save 11 tourists during the deadly assault at Baisaran Valley, highlighting both the horror of the incident and acts of courage that unfolded amid the chaos. The attack took place on April 22, 2025, when terrorists opened fire in the scenic Baisaran Valley area of Pahalgam, often referred to as “Mini Switzerland” for its meadow landscapes. In the assault, 26 people were killed in cold blood, sending shockwaves across the country and leaving tourists and locals in a state of panic in the open valley with little immediate shelter available.
Among those present was Nazakat Ali, a 30-year-old tourist guide and shawl trader from Kashmir, who was accompanying a group of visitors from Chhattisgarh. Speaking to NDTV, he recalled that he initially mistook the gunfire for an encounter between security forces and militants. Moments later, however, he realised a terrorist was firing directly at tourists, triggering a desperate attempt to escape.
Nazakat immediately instructed the 11 tourists with him to lie low and then began guiding them through the terrain using his knowledge of hidden forest paths. He led the group for nearly seven kilometres through dense woodland until they reached safety in Pahalgam. In the confusion, he later discovered that two women had been left behind and voluntarily returned to the danger zone to escort them out safely.
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The guide also revealed a personal loss in the attack, stating that his maternal uncle’s son, Syed Adil Shah, was among those killed. Despite the trauma, Nazakat has since been recognised for his bravery and was honoured in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, where he received a medal and public acknowledgment in the presence of political leaders. Reflecting on the aftermath a year later, Nazakat told NDTV that tourism in Kashmir is gradually recovering, with visitors returning in large numbers. He expressed hope that the region would continue to welcome travellers, adding that many like him are ready to ensure their safety and hospitality.
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