What should have been a festive occasion and a return to normalcy for two families from Jammu and Kashmir has turned into a tragic nightmare. The families of Shashi Bhushan Abrol from Jammu and Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar from Budgam are now mourning the loss of their loved ones, who were victims of a terrorist attack at the Z-Morh tunnel site in Ganderbal, central Kashmir.
This senseless act of violence not only shattered their dreams but also plunged two families into profound sorrow. Their grief serves as a stark reminder of how terrorism robs individuals of their loved ones and futures, leaving communities in devastation.
The Day of the Attack: Dreams Crushed
On a quiet Sunday along a remote stretch of the Srinagar-Leh highway, a terrorist act took the lives of seven individuals, including Shashi Bhushan Abrol and Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar. Both men were employed by APCO Infratech, a construction company involved in the tunnel project, but their stories of loss extend far beyond their professional affiliations.
Dr. Dar, a 52-year-old physician from Naidgam, and Abrol, an architectural designer from Jammu, were killed in this tragic incident, turning moments of joy and normal life into days filled with mourning. In Budgam, Dr. Dar’s family had recently celebrated his daughter’s wedding, while in Jammu, Abrol’s wife observed Karva Chauth, a day of fasting for her husband’s well-being. Instead of celebrating, both families were shattered by the news of the attack.
A Father’s Promise: The Unfulfilled Aspirations of Dr. Shahnawaz Dar
Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar was a cherished member of his community in Naidgam, renowned for his humility and dedication. His untimely death has left not only his family but the entire village in disbelief.
The impact of Dr. Dar’s loss is particularly profound for his teenage son, Mohsin.”I dreamt of becoming an IAS officer, and my father promised to help me make that happen.” Now that he’s gone, it feels unreachable,” Mohsin said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Dr. Dar wasn’t just a physician; he was a devoted father with hopes for his children’s futures. His sudden passing cut short plans to guide Mohsin through the rigorous path to civil service. Just days before his death, Dr. Dar had been celebrating his daughter’s wedding, with plans to return home for post-wedding festivities, but fate had different plans.
At his funeral, held in the ancestral graveyard, the cries of his mother echoed throughout the village, embodying the profound sense of loss. “My son, where have you gone? ”She cried out in grief, with family and neighbors gathered around her, offering comfort as she wept.
“Dr. Sahib was a person of great integrity, always serving us with compassion,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar, a respected elder in the village. “Days ago, we were celebrating, and now we’re heartbroken. The joyful community is now filled with sorrow, condemning the attack and seeking justice”.
Karva Chauth: A Day of Love Turns into Heartbreak for the Abrol Family
More than 300 kilometers away, another family faced a similar horror. Shashi Bhushan Abrol’s wife, Ruchi, had been observing Karva Chauth, a traditional festival where married women fast for their husbands’ longevity. Instead of celebrating the end of her fast with her husband, she received the heartbreaking news of his death.
Ruchi recalled her last conversation with Shashi, which felt entirely ordinary.”He called me in the evening, and everything felt just fine.””I told him I would call back after my temple rituals, but after that, his phone went silent”.
Later that evening, while eagerly awaiting a video call from her husband to break her fast, Ruchi’s world collapsed when she learned of the tragedy through media reports. “We tried to comfort her, but we had no idea what had happened,” said Divya, Shashi’s sister-in-law.
Shashi was the primary breadwinner for his family. After 20 years of marriage, he left behind a wife, two children, and elderly parents. His family now faces not only emotional anguish but also practical difficulties. “Shashi was the family’s main support,” his father, Jagdish Raj Abrol, noted. “His wife is a homemaker. How will she raise the children alone?”
Like Dr. Dar, Shashi had dreams for his children’s futures. His son, who just started his engineering studies, was his main focus. “Two months ago, he came home to help with college admissions,” Divya said. “He believed in his success, but now everything is uncertain.”
A Unified Call for Justice and Support
Despite being separated by distance, both the Abrol and Dar families are united in their grief and their demand for justice. They are calling for accountability for those responsible for the attack and for the government to provide assistance in rebuilding their shattered lives.
“This loss is not just personal; it’s a blow to humanity,” said a member of Dar’s community, reflecting the shared pain felt by both families. The village of Naidgam, much like the Abrol family in Jammu, is grappling with the sudden and brutal loss of men who were fathers, sons, and husbands—men whose dreams and hopes for their families were stolen in an instant.
While both families await justice, they understand that no measure of accountability can bring back their loved ones. Their lives have been irrevocably changed by a senseless act of violence, leaving a void that will never be filled.
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Conclusion
The tragic terrorist attack that claimed the lives of Shashi Bhushan Abrol and Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar highlights the ongoing violence in Kashmir, which continues to take innocent lives. For the Dar and Abrol families, what was meant to be a time of joy has transformed into an enduring period of mourning. The loss of these men is not only a personal tragedy for their families but also reflects the broader human cost of violence in conflict zones.
As the families of Shashi and Dr. Dar cope with their overwhelming grief, their collective plea for justice reminds us that, in the face of such profound loss, society must ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Yet, both families know that no amount of justice can replace the love, dreams, and hopes that were taken from them in a moment of senseless violence.
