In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond, a US-based technology professional hailing from Kolkata was among those tragically killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The victim, identified as Bitan Adhikary, was reportedly travelling with his wife, Sohini, and their young three-year-old son when the militants unleashed their brutal assault on innocent tourists.
Bitan, a 40-year-old techie working with a multinational corporation in Florida, USA, had returned to his hometown of Kolkata on April 8th for a summer visit with his family. They embarked on a trip to the picturesque Kashmir Valley last week, a vacation that was supposed to conclude with their return on Thursday. Tragically, their idyllic sojourn was shattered on Tuesday afternoon when terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, a popular holiday destination.
Initial reports indicate that Bitan Adhikary succumbed to the gunfire, becoming one of the many casualties in this heinous act of violence. While the news of Bitan’s death has plunged his family and friends into deep mourning, there is a sliver of relief as reports confirm that his wife and young son are safe. Authorities are currently making arrangements to ensure their safe return home to Kolkata.
The news of the tragedy has evoked a strong response from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who personally reached out to Bitan’s wife to offer her condolences and support. In a statement released on social media, she expressed her profound grief and assured the family that the state government would extend all possible assistance to bring back Bitan’s mortal remains to Kolkata.
Bitan’s family in Kolkata is understandably devastated by the irreparable loss. His elderly father, in an emotional interaction with local media, revealed his son’s initial plan to bring the entire family to Kashmir, a plan that was altered with only Bitan, his wife, and their child making the trip. Bitan’s brother recounted their last conversation earlier that day, where they discussed future holiday plans, unaware of the impending tragedy that would strike later in the day.
State Minister Aroop Biswas visited the grieving family at their Kolkata residence, assuring them of the government’s unwavering support. He stated that the state Home Department and the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi are in constant touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Jammu and Kashmir government to expedite the process of bringing Bitan’s body back to his home at the earliest.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism and its devastating impact on innocent lives. The loss of a young, promising professional like Bitan Adhikary, who was simply enjoying a family vacation, underscores the profound human cost of such violence. As the nation mourns the victims of this senseless attack, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the bereaved families and working towards lasting peace in the region.
