House built for Lion Heart Pony Marvala in Pahalgam

Haputnall (Anantnag): His charred hands and bullet-riddled body tell a story of courage and sacrifice. Pony warrior Syed Adil Hussain Shah embodied the spirit of Kashmir and the soul of India in his last selfless act when he grabbed hold of the barrel of a terrorist’s rifle to save tourists during the horrific carnage in Pahalgambaisaran Valley last year.Adil was killed on April 22, 2025, when he was the sole breadwinner of his family. Over the past year, his family has endured a grim and complex transition—from a life filled with daily uncertainty and frugality to a life of relative financial stability even as they continue to grapple with irreparable loss.They once lived in a 40-year-old flimsy mud and log house and are now waiting to move into a newly constructed single-story home adjacent to the old building. The house, which cost around Rs 10-12 lakh, was funded by the party of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. The family said Shinde is expected to visit them on the first anniversary of the attack, after which they plan to move into a new home.In addition, the family received financial assistance of approximately Rs 20 lakh from government sources and other organizations. Even Adil’s widow Nazim got a permanent job in the fisheries department, while his brother Nazakat got a daily wage job in the waqf. Another brother, Naushad, used to drive a taxi and now owns a taxi worth about Rs 12 lakh.“We are not short of money now, but we miss Adil,” said his father, Syed Haider Shah. “My son earns about Rs 300-600 a day and we are happy with it,” he said. “He sacrificed his life for humanity. Tourists trust us when they come to Pahalgam and he tried to save them,” he said.Sitting outside the newly built home, Haider said he felt a sense of pride as people from across the country came to visit and recognize his son’s courage. “He lost his life, but he made our lives safer,” he said.Haidar said he knew his son was viewed differently inside and outside Kashmir. Haider, who is fluent in Pahari, Kashmiri and Urdu, said people from across the country continue to visit his family to express their condolences. “People in the valley value his actions in rescuing tourists and giving his life for their safety,” he said. “But people outside Jammu and Kashmir perhaps understand his sacrifice more deeply. They saw that he did not think along religious lines but gave his life for others.“He noted that dozens of people managed to escape in Baisaran that day. “My son could have saved himself. But he didn’t. His conscience wouldn’t allow it and I’m proud of that,” he said.Memories flooded into my mind. “His fingers were injured because he was trying to grab the gun. Then he was shot in the back,” he said.“That day was the heaviest day of our lives. Woh qayamat ka din tha,” he almost whispered. “When I heard about the shooting in Baisaran, I started calling him. He didn’t answer. As there was no internet there, I thought he would answer. I kept calling until around 4pm or 4.30pm. Still no response at 6pm, I went to Ashmuqam police station and told them that my son was missing. They asked me to go home.”He was silent for a while; then, he sighed deeply and said: “When I returned home, the police told me that my son’s body was at Pahalgam Hospital…” Haidar stopped there, his eyes filled with tears.When a family reached the Srinagar hospital to collect Adil’s body, a bereaved woman tourist said Adil had tried his best to save them by snatching a gun from the terrorists. Medical reports show he was shot at close range – with a hole in his neck, a bullet wound to his chest and part of one shoulder.