Guwahati, Apr 24: Assam University Professor Debasish Bhattacharya narrowly escaped a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, by reciting the Islamic verse ‘Kalma’ while vacationing with his family. Bhattacharya, a professor from Silchar, was at the Baisaran meadows when armed terrorists opened fire on tourists.

During the attack, Bhattacharya joined others in reciting the ‘Kalma,’ a central declaration of Islamic faith. “A terrorist walked up to us and shot the man next to me. Then he looked at me and asked what I was doing. I just recited the Kalma louder and did not reply to his question. I don’t know what happened, he just turned around and left,” Bhattacharya said in an interview with news agency PTI.

After the terrorists left, Bhattacharya and his family managed to escape, crossing a fence to flee the scene. “I somehow managed to escape by crossing the fence,” he explained. After two hours of wandering, a local resident helped guide them back to Pahalgam.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers asked victims about their religion before shooting, specifically targeting men. Bhattacharya, still shaken by the ordeal, declined to provide further comments.

The Assam government has arranged for Bhattacharya’s family to return to Silchar. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure their safe return.