Rourkela, Apr 29: A chilling terror attack in Pahalgam nearly turned tragic for Asima Jyoti Sahu and his wife Sunita, residents of Sector 3, Rourkela. The couple, along with their two-year-old son Akay, miraculously avoided the deadly gunfire, thanks to an unexpected delay caused by their toddler.

The family, who were on a vacation, had initially planned to leave their hotel early in the morning for sightseeing. However, due to their son's incessant crying, the trip was postponed by a few hours. That delay ended up saving their lives, as the attack unfolded precisely at the time they had originally planned to visit.

On April 20, the family set out for Pahalgam, traveling via Ranchi, Kolkata, and Srinagar. On April 21, they reached their hotel Domstar, planning to explore the scenic beauty the next day. While they initially intended to leave at 9 am, their plans were pushed to 12 pm due to their son’s restlessness. By the time they arrived, the terror attack had already occurred, preventing them from being caught in the crossfire.

According to official reports, the attack resulted in 26 civilian casualties, leaving many tourists and locals in shock. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and horrifying, with gunfire echoing across the valley.

Speaking to the media, Asima Jyoti Sahu stated, “Had we left at 9 am as originally planned, we might not have been alive today. Our son saved our lives in the most unexpected way.”

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