Yavatmal: In an inspiring story from Kashmir, a Muslim family turned into guardian angels for four families from the region touring the state when terrorists struck.
On April 22, after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 people, five families from Yavatmal were caught in the midst of this turmoil. Finding themselves stranded and uncertain about their next steps, the families got a guardian angel in the form of a Muslim family. At this critical juncture, the Muslim family opened their hearts and home, offering all of them shelter. Thanks to their support, all five families safely returned to Yavatmal on April 24, breathing a sigh of relief.
The families — Bhandarkars, Tidkes, and Kshetrapals from Yavatmal’s Wadgaon area, along with a family from Nagpur — had left for Kashmir on April 10 via a flight from Nagpur. They spent nearly 10 days exploring the scenic beauty of the region. On the morning of April 22, after visiting Betaab Valley, they set off towards Jammu at around 9am. However, about 30-35 kilometers into their journey, near Bonigam, their bus was halted. It was there they learned about the attack in Pahalgam and the resulting closure of all return routes. Fear gripped them as uncertainty loomed.
It was then that they noticed a small shop owned by Khurshid Bhai nearby. While purchasing some food items, the families struck up a conversation with him and inquired about accommodation. Khurshid Bhai informed them that Bonigam was a small village with no hotels, but graciously offered them shelter at his own home. He vacated three rooms for the tourists, moving his own family into a single room.
Narendra Bhandarkar said, “We visited Srinagar, Gulmarg, and stayed overnight at Pahalgam. On the morning of April 22, we planned to visit the site where the tragic incident later occurred. However, our driver insisted on leaving early, so we visited Betaab Valley in the morning and set off at around 10am. Near Bonigam, our vehicle was stopped, and by then it was evening. With no hotels or accommodation options available, we approached Khurshid Bhai’s general store. Upon learning of our plight, he generously invited us to stay at his home, offering three rooms while he and his family squeezed into one. Khurshid Bhai and our driver were truly angels in our hour of need.”
Meanwhile, the families contacted Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde, who facilitated arrangements for them to reach Jammu. Finally, on April 24, the five families returned home safely. In their words, Khurshid Bhai truly proved to be an angel during their time of need.
On April 22, after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 people, five families from Yavatmal were caught in the midst of this turmoil. Finding themselves stranded and uncertain about their next steps, the families got a guardian angel in the form of a Muslim family. At this critical juncture, the Muslim family opened their hearts and home, offering all of them shelter. Thanks to their support, all five families safely returned to Yavatmal on April 24, breathing a sigh of relief.
The families — Bhandarkars, Tidkes, and Kshetrapals from Yavatmal’s Wadgaon area, along with a family from Nagpur — had left for Kashmir on April 10 via a flight from Nagpur. They spent nearly 10 days exploring the scenic beauty of the region. On the morning of April 22, after visiting Betaab Valley, they set off towards Jammu at around 9am. However, about 30-35 kilometers into their journey, near Bonigam, their bus was halted. It was there they learned about the attack in Pahalgam and the resulting closure of all return routes. Fear gripped them as uncertainty loomed.
It was then that they noticed a small shop owned by Khurshid Bhai nearby. While purchasing some food items, the families struck up a conversation with him and inquired about accommodation. Khurshid Bhai informed them that Bonigam was a small village with no hotels, but graciously offered them shelter at his own home. He vacated three rooms for the tourists, moving his own family into a single room.
Narendra Bhandarkar said, “We visited Srinagar, Gulmarg, and stayed overnight at Pahalgam. On the morning of April 22, we planned to visit the site where the tragic incident later occurred. However, our driver insisted on leaving early, so we visited Betaab Valley in the morning and set off at around 10am. Near Bonigam, our vehicle was stopped, and by then it was evening. With no hotels or accommodation options available, we approached Khurshid Bhai’s general store. Upon learning of our plight, he generously invited us to stay at his home, offering three rooms while he and his family squeezed into one. Khurshid Bhai and our driver were truly angels in our hour of need.”
Meanwhile, the families contacted Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde, who facilitated arrangements for them to reach Jammu. Finally, on April 24, the five families returned home safely. In their words, Khurshid Bhai truly proved to be an angel during their time of need.
