The daughter of a victim in the Pahalgam massacre said she was “proud to be an Indian” after the three terrorists involved were killed in an operation by Indian security forces.
“I heard the news that the three terrorists who took part in the Pahalgam massacre have been eliminated, and I feel proud to be an Indian,” said Aarti, who lost her father in the terrorist attack.
“Even though this is not going to bring back my father, I believe this shows the real commitment of our leaders and the security forces. And I feel truly proud to be an Indian,” she added.
In response to a question, Aarti said that since she is a witness to the incident, “If I am called by the authorities, I will go and tell them everything.”
A former Non-Resident Indian who returned from the Middle East five years ago, Aarti’s father Ramachandran was a staunch BJP supporter. He had unsuccessfully contested local body elections and was among those shortlisted as a potential BJP candidate for civic polls scheduled later this year.
Aarti, a mother of twin boys, was often seen breaking down on television while recounting the horrifying moments when her father was shot dead in full view of her two children.
She, along with her parents, was holidaying in Pahalgam when Ramachandran was killed by the terrorists.
Aarti had earlier said that the terrorist placed something on her head, after which her sons cried out loudly. According to her, perhaps hearing the cries of the young boys, the attacker walked away without harming them.
The Pahalgam terror attack claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
IANS