The chilling terror attack at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow on April 22, which left 26 civilians dead, could have taken an even deadlier toll if not for a series of seemingly trivial twists of fate — a salty mutton dish, a delay in finding horses, and a plate of bhelpuri. These chance moments saved nearly 41 people from being caught in the massacre that specifically targeted Hindu tourists.
An 11-member family from Kerala, on a trip to the scenic Kashmir valley, was just 15 minutes away from Baisaran when they decided to stop for lunch. Their decision was driven by fatigue and skipped meals from previous days. But the Rogan Josh they were served was too salty. This prompted them to ask for a fresh meal, delaying them by nearly an hour. That delay kept them away from the killing field. Minutes later, as they resumed their journey, they saw chaos — horses running, taxis fleeing, and people screaming. The family turned back, unaware at the time that the attack had just occurred.
Similarly, a group of 28 tourists from Maharashtra — from Kolhapur, Sangli, Ratnagiri, and Pune — found themselves saved by another form of delay: the unavailability of horses. Since Baisaran can only be accessed on foot or horseback, the lack of animals kept them from reaching the meadow in time. As they waited, trying to bargain for horse rides, their driver suddenly arrived shouting warnings about gunfire ahead. The group turned back just 500 meters into the ride. Their delay likely spared them from the bullets.
Then there’s the haunting story of Mihir and Komal Soni, newlyweds from Jaipur. They had just arrived at Baisaran when they stopped to enjoy a quiet snack of bhelpuri. Their decision to sit in a secluded corner for a few minutes gave them the buffer that saved their lives. They later learned that a Navy officer and his wife who had bought bhelpuri just before them were among those killed.
These stories — of food, of minor delays, of spontaneous decisions — starkly contrast the horror of that day. They also highlight just how fragile safety can be in the face of terror. The attack, which saw tourists deliberately targeted based on their identity, has sent shockwaves across India. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in its aftermath indicates the depth of India’s outrage and intent to hold Pakistan accountable, at least indirectly.
Amid national grief and political consequences, the survivors — who owe their lives to chance — remind us of the cruel randomness of terror.
