Pahalgam terror attack: ‘They asked if we were Hindu, then they opened fire’

The relatives of Atul Mone Sanjay Lele and Hemant Joshimdashthree cousins from Dombivli West who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22mdashtold midday they were still coming to terms with their loss ldquoWe are in a deep state of shock It feels like our lives are never going to be the same againrdquo said Rajashree Akul a relative of MoneThe cousins along with their families had departed from Ahmedabad via flight to Jammu and Kashmir two days before the tragic incident Mone was travelling with wife Anushka 35 and 18yearold daughter RichaLele was accompanied by his wife Kavita 46 and 20yearold son Harshal Joshi was with his wife Monika 45 and 16yearold son Dhruv According to their relatives the families were enjoying their trip before things took a horrific turnRajesh Prasade who remembered the times he would play badminton with Hemant JoshildquoWe spoke with Atulrsquos wife Anushka after the attack She was devastated Her husband had been shot in the stomach by terrorists and succumbed to his injury in front of her eyesrdquo Rajashree saidldquoAll three families lived near Bhagshala in Dombivli When we saw the news on television that an attack had taken place in Pahalgam we all panicked and called Anushka She didnrsquot pick up Then the news about Atulrsquos death flashed on our TV screen we again called Anushka and she said that everything had changed and weptrdquo said Rahul AkulThe Akuls claimed the terrorist had asked their victims their religion before commencing to open fire ldquoAnushka said the terrorists asked lsquoYahan Hindu kon hainrsquo to which Sanjay raised his hand He was then shot in the head and Joshi was shot in the chestrdquo Rahul addedldquoHarshal told us the terrorists dressed in combat uniform fatigues asked people whether they were Hindu before opening fire multiple timesrdquo he addedldquoWe demand strict action against the perpetrators of this attack Mone was the sole breadwinner of the family and his daughter wants to be a chartered accountant Who will fulfil her wish Anushkarsquos life will never be the same againrdquo Rajashree saidRajashree and Rahul Akul relatives of Atul Mone at their residenceRajesh Prasade 62 told midday that the Joshi family was a very loving one ldquoHemant and I played badminton together We are in shock His son Dhruv is like my own son We are grievingrdquo he saidAnother relative said ldquoWe are in a state of shock and are processing the news of Hemantrsquos death We had spoken with him He said he would be back in a weekrsquos time We are coordinating with the family to conduct their last ritesrdquoMone Lele and Joshirsquos bodies are being brought to Dombivli Their last rites will be performed at the cremation ground on Shiv Mandir RoadlsquoDeeply disturbingrsquoP V SindhuOlympic silver medalwinning badminton ace via XlsquoMy heart aches for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack So much pain So much loss No reason no cause can ever justify such brutalityrsquoNeeraj ChopraOlympic gold medalwinning javelin star via XlsquoHeartbroken by the tragic attack in Jammu and Kashmir Prayers for the victims and their familiesrsquoAbhinav BindraOlympic gold medalwinning shooter via XlsquoHeartbroken by the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam My thoughts are with the victims and their families Terror has no place in our world we must stand united against hatred and violencersquoDonald Trump US PresidentlsquoDeeply disturbing news out of Kashmir The US stands strong with India against Terrorism We pray for the souls of those lost and for the recovery of the injured Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies Our hearts are with you allrsquoJ D Vance US VicePresidentlsquoUsha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating attack Over the past few days we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attackrsquoBenjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime MinisterlsquoI am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir that killed and injured dozens of innocents Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorismrsquoatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params