/popdiaries/media/media_files/2025/04/29/hfVXAlzXNqBSKFOlbWrB.jpg)
Follow Us
Pradeep Hegde, along with his wife Shubha Hegde and their son Siddhant, arrived in Srinagar on April 21 and set off for Pahalgam the following morning.
Bengaluru:
Saved by a hair—literally. This phrase encapsulates the miraculous escape of the Hegde family from Karnataka, who narrowly escaped from a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Rapid thinking and bravery played a vital role in their escape, aided by a horseman who ensured their safety.
The Hegde family found themselves in the Baisaran valley, known as Pahalgam's 'Mini Switzerland,' when the attack happened, resulting in the murder of 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator.
Pradeep Hegde shared details of their trip, telling they hired three horses to reach Baisaran. "The road is terrible. It had rained, and it was very muddy and slippery. It took us an hour and 15 minutes to reach the top," Pradeep recounted in an exclusive interview a week after their traumatic experience. He explained that horsemen typically drop off tourists and return later to take them back downhill. "When we went inside, there was a huge crowd," Pradeep took a note.
"When you enter, to your right, where the zipline starts, there is an empty area. We thought we would click some pics there. We spent around an hour there," he continued furthermore. Their plan was to move towards the area in the valley where various adventure activities were taking place, along with some nearby stalls. "Around 1.45 pm, we thought of going there. But my son said he was hungry. We tried to convince him that we can eat before leaving. But he was adamant. So we headed towards the makeshift food stalls. We ordered Maggi. My wife then went to the washroom, about 500 meters away. It was a pay-and-use toilet, so she returned, took money, and went again. By that time, we had eaten, and she hurriedly ate."
Pradeep elaborated the chilling moment they heard the 1st shots. "At the time, we did not know they were bullets," he confirmed, stating that even the shop owner suggested it might be fireworks. "We thought they were bursting crackers to scare animals." Shortly after, they observed 2 gunmen firing indiscriminately. "Initially, we did not realize what was happening. Then we lay down. At this point, my wife thought of getting my bag, which was on the table. Our IDs and phones were in it. She got up to take the bag and felt something go past her right ear. It was a bullet," Pradeep remembered.