On April 22, 2025, in an attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, a young cloth trader from Anantnag, Nazakat Ali Shah, showed immense bravery by saving the lives of 11 people from Chhattisgarh’s Sarguja division. Among those saved were four couples and their three children, who were vacationing in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the attack, Nazakat safely escorted them to the Srinagar airport.
The attack took place in the Baisaran Valley, about seven kilometers from Pahalgam, often referred to as ‘Mini Switzerland.’ The group from Chhattisgarh had traveled to Jammu and Kashmir for a holiday and was visiting the valley on horseback when the attackers began shooting. As children started crying, Nazakat quickly took one child on his back and another in his arms, guiding all the families to safety at a parking spot.
Nazakat’s uncle, Adil Hussain Shah, was shot and killed during the attack. However, Nazakat’s focus remained on getting the families to safety. “I couldn’t leave them behind. I had to help them,” Nazakat said in an interview after the attack.
Nazakat, who has been selling warm clothes in various districts of Sarguja, including Balrampur-Ramanjganj and Chhattisgarh’s Chirimiri, for the past 15 years, is well known for his honesty and hard work. His family has built strong relationships with the locals in Sarguja over the years.
Despite the loss of his uncle, Nazakat did not attend the funeral as he was focused on ensuring the safety of the families. “I could not leave them. My priority was to get everyone to the airport safely,” Nazakat said.
His bravery has been praised not only in Sarguja but also in Kashmir. Local authorities and the people of Chhattisgarh have expressed their admiration for his quick thinking and courage. “Nazakat’s presence of mind saved our families. He was like an angel to us,” said Rakesh Parasr, the uncle of one of the families rescued.
