"Would have been his birthday..": Brother of Pahalgam terrorist attack victim calls for strict action against terrorists

Apr 23, 2025

Surat (Gujarat) [India], April 23 : Nareshbhai Kalathiya, a close relative of one of the victims killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, expressed anger over the loss of his cousin brother and urged the central government to take immediate and decisive action against the terrorists.
The deceased, Shaileshbhai Himmatbhai Kalathiya, a Surat resident, an only brother of four sisters and a father of two, was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, sparking outrage among his family members.
Speaking to ANI, Nareshbhai Kalathiya said, "He (Shaileshbhai) went to Jammu Kashmir on April 13 for a five-day trip, accompanied by his wife and two children. The incident took place yesterday. It would have been his birthday today. He was the only brother of his four sisters."
"Strict action should be taken against the terrorists. We call for an airstrike on these attackers. I have lost my brother today, tomorrow there's going to be someone else. I urge PM Modi to end this at once," he said, his voice filled with sorrow.

In Maharashtra, Manohar Burde, a friend of the victim Sibhit Patel, a resident of Kamothe in Navi Mumbai, also shared about how they received information about the attack.
Speaking to ANI, Manohar Burde said, "We got to know through a friend that some of their relatives had become victims of a terror attack. My own friends had also gone on a trip to Jammu and Kashmir. We tried to contact him and his family, but were unable to reach them. We went to the Kamothe police station, where the officials contacted the travel agent, and we learned about Sibhit Patel's injury. His condition is now stable, and his family is doing well."
The incident has not only shaken the families of the victims but also sparked outrage across the country, as calls grow louder for swift justice and stronger counter-terror measures.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag to meet the injured victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed several lives and left others wounded.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir and vowed that the government would respond with firm action and reiterated India's uncompromising stand against terrorism.
"I want to repeat India's resolve against terrorism. We have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism... I want to assure the countrymen that the government will take every necessary step. We will not only bring to justice the perpetrators of this act, but also the individuals behind the scenes... The accused will soon see a loud and clear response, I want to assure the country."
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team also arrived at the attack site to join the probe and assist the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the matter, which is considered the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in almost twenty years.
The NIA team - led by a Deputy Inspector General-rank officer - visited Baisaran a day after terrorists gunned down a group of tourists in the picturesque meadow, which is located around five kilometres from Pahalgam town in Kashmir's Anantnag district.
Official sources privy to the development told ANI that "the NIA team members will be assisting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the investigation.
The NIA team is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the attack site, collect forensic evidence, and help in identifying those responsible for the carnage.