Childhood friends' Kashmir holiday ends in tragedy, both shot dead in Pahalgam

Indian Army personnel at the site of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI photo)

Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale, who had been friends for decades, planned a trip to Kashmir last month to enjoy some family time in the lap of nature. But, it costed them their lives. They were among the 26 people who lost their lives in the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

Busy expanding his business of 'farsan' snacks all his life, Ganbote rarely travelled outside the city but was excited about the Kashmir trip with his friend. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law.

"All his life, he was busy expanding his business. This was the first time he and his wife had decided to travel outside the city. They planned the trip with his close friend Santosh and his family. Only eight days ago he had told me about the Kashmir plan. He was really excited," said Sunil More, Ganbote's childhood friend and neighbour from Pune's Rasta Peth.

Both Ganbote and Jagdale, who were residents of Pune, were shot dead in front of their wives and children.

All his life Ganbote lived in a narrow lane in Rasta Peth, and had recently built a house on the Kondhwa-Saswad road where his farsan factory is also located. Known for his jovial and helpful nature, Ganbote had recently become a grandfather and was very happy.

"He had a serious accident some 20 years ago when the tempo he was travelling in crashed, leaving him with severe burn injuries. He used to call it his second birth," recalled More.

Jagdale, who ran an interior designing business, often helped his friend Ganbote with the marketing of his products. Survived by his wife Pragati and their daughter Asavari, Jagdale loved travelling and exploring new places, his brother Avinash said.

Recalling the horror, Asavari's told a reporter in Kashmir, "We were hiding behind a tent after the firing incident, and the terrorist came to my father, opened fire at him, and later they shot Santosh uncle, who was nearby". The families were forced to leave the two men behind in panic, she added.

When she led her father's funeral procession, the 26-year-old human resource professional wore the same bloodstained clothes as at the time of the attack, as a reminder of the tragedy.

Earlier today, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar visited the homes of Jagdale and Ganbote and paid tributes to them.