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The Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025 has left the nation grieving, but amidst the horror, a story of bravery and humanity has emerged. Nazakat Ali, a local Kashmiri guide, risked his life to save the daughter of a BJP leader, Arvind Agrawal, during the brutal assault that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.

Arvind Agrawal, associated with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), was vacationing in Kashmir's serene Baisaran Valley with his family and friends when chaos erupted. Gunshots shattered the peace, sending tourists scrambling for cover. It was during this panic that Agrawal’s four-year-old daughter, Samriddhi, ran across the open ground, frightened by the gunfire.

While Arvind's friends held him back to prevent him from endangering himself, his wife Pooja ran after their daughter. As fate would have it, Nazakat Ali was nearby, already alert to the unfolding danger.

Displaying remarkable presence of mind and courage, Nazakat grabbed little Samriddhi and when confronted by a terrorist who demanded to know who the child was, he boldly claimed her as his own daughter. This simple but brave declaration saved her life, as the terrorist moved on without harming the child.

Later, local ponywallahs assisted the group in fleeing the area on horseback. In the chaos, Pooja Agrawal sustained a fractured shoulder while escaping, but locals swiftly helped them reach Pahalgam Hospital for treatment.

Speaking emotionally over the phone to The Quint, Arvind Agrawal said, “We will never be able to thank Nazakat bhai enough. He risked his life to save ours.”

Nazakat Ali, reflecting on the incident, said, “I was playing with the children when we heard a few gunshots. Initially, we thought children were bursting crackers, but the shots increased. I grabbed the children and ran.”

For Nazakat, the act was not heroic but human. "This incident marks the death of humanity," he said, lamenting the senseless violence that engulfed the valley he calls home. Yet, he found solace in the fact that he could rescue the 11-member group and ensure they returned safely.

Nazakat carried the children to waiting cars and facilitated their transfer to Srinagar for better medical attention and eventual evacuation.

Arvind Agrawal’s heartfelt Facebook post dedicated to Nazakat quickly garnered attention, becoming a symbol of how compassion and humanity prevail even in times of terror.

This moving story of courage surfaces even as India grapples with the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre, a heinous attack that has had severe diplomatic and political consequences.

In the wake of the attack, the Indian government, citing sustained cross-border terrorism and violation of the Indus Waters Treaty by Pakistan, announced the suspension of the treaty. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held high-level meetings with the Jal Shakti Ministry and other senior officials, charting out immediate and long-term strategies to hold the water supply to Pakistan.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 under the World Bank's mediation, had governed the distribution of river waters between India and Pakistan for decades. Its suspension marks a historic escalation, underlining India’s strong response to terrorism emanating across the border.

The government has emphasized that persistent security threats have impeded India's ability to fully utilize its rights under the treaty. In the communication to Pakistan, India also cited significant changes in population demographics, and the need to accelerate clean energy development as reasons necessitating a review of obligations.

Back in Kashmir, while diplomatic tensions rise, the people of Pahalgam mourn the lives lost. Stories like that of Nazakat Ali shine a light in the darkness, offering hope and reaffirming faith in humanity even in its darkest hour.

Pahalgam, a place often referred to as a paradise on earth, is now synonymous with pain for many families. However, it is also the land where acts of bravery like Nazakat’s continue to echo, offering a reminder that courage and compassion have the power to heal the deepest wounds.

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