PAHALGAM: A Kerala family of 11 narrowly escaped the recent Pahalgam terror attack—all thanks to an unexpected delay caused by a salty breakfast. Their morning meal mishap may have turned out to be the most life-saving argument they’ve ever had.
Lavanya, one of the family members, shared the emotional account. The group was en route to Baisaran Meadow when they decided to stop for breakfast at a roadside eatery. Their order of fried rice arrived too salty, leading to a minor dispute with the owner. After some back-and-forth, the restaurant agreed to remake the food, delaying them by nearly an hour.
Unbeknownst to them, that delay saved their lives. Barely two kilometres from the eatery, chaos unfolded—tourists and locals were seen fleeing the area. A Gujarati family warned them of a violent incident ahead, urging them to turn back.
Initially, they believed it to be a clash or some misunderstanding. But back at their hotel, panic set in as phone calls poured in and the true nature of the tragedy was revealed—it was a full-blown terror attack.
Lavanya described the night that followed as sleepless, haunted by thoughts of what could have happened. “My body trembled at the thought of what might have transpired had we not been delayed,” she said.
The family spent the rest of the day trying to process the shocking twist of fate. What started as a frustrating food complaint became a life-altering moment that shielded them from terror by mere minutes.
This chilling experience highlights how even the smallest delays can change everything—sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
On Tuesday afternoon, five to six terrorists attacked a group of tourists in Baisaran meadow, about 5 km from Pahalgam. Described by locals as “mini Switzerland,” the meadow is only accessible on foot or horseback. What was meant to be a peaceful retreat turned into one of the bloodiest civilian attacks in the region in recent memory.
-Agencies
