In a heartfelt and significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir government has offered a permanent government job to Gulnaz Akhter, the widow of Adil Shah, a brave pony ride operator who laid down his life during the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including Shah, took place in the picturesque Baisaran meadow in Anantnag district.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, personally visited Adil Shah’s family in the Hapatnar area of Pahalgam. During the visit, he handed over the official appointment letter to Gulnaz Akhter, marking a formal and compassionate step towards securing the livelihood of the bereaved family.
Job in Fisheries Department: A Step Towards Stability
Gulnaz Akhter has been appointed to a permanent position in the Fisheries Department of Anantnag, a role that ensures job security and dignity of life for her and her children. The LG emphasized that this job symbolizes the government’s deep gratitude for Shah’s selfless bravery in protecting tourists during the deadly ambush.
“This is more than just a job—it’s a tribute to Adil Shah’s courage and sacrifice,” stated Manoj Sinha during his interaction with locals and the martyr’s family.
Community Support and Development Promises
The visit to the family wasn’t limited to condolences. LG Sinha held discussions with locals of the region who expressed concerns regarding limited employment opportunities in Pahalgam and surrounding villages. In response, the LG assured that the administration will actively explore and implement new job avenues and development projects in the area to empower local youth and prevent such incidents from affecting livelihoods.
Bravery Remembered Nationwide
Adil Shah, also referred to as Syed Adil Hussain, earned national praise for his brave resistance against the terrorists during the cross-border-linked terror strike. His efforts helped protect numerous tourists and locals at great personal risk. The attack shocked the region and led to intensified security actions under Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Met the family members of martyr Syed Adil Hussain at Anantnag. Handed over appointment letter to his wife Mst. Gulnaz Akhter on compassionate ground. The whole country is proud of the bravery of Adil who sacrificed his life while protecting tourists at Pahalgam on 22nd April. pic.twitter.com/xMkIRVZfsF
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) June 14, 2025
On X (formerly Twitter), LG Sinha posted:
“Met the family members of martyr Syed Adil Hussain at Anantnag. Handed an appointment letter to his wife Mrs. Gulnaz Akhter on compassionate grounds. The whole country is proud of the bravery of Adil, who sacrificed his life while protecting tourists at Pahalgam on April 22.”
Continued Support and Future Assistance Assured
Manoj Sinha reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support to the family. He assured them that financial aid, social welfare measures, and further assistance would continue so the family could live with security, dignity, and respect.
He noted that the job given to Gulnaz Akhter was not just a token gesture, but part of a broader commitment by the J&K administration to honor and support the families of martyrs who sacrifice their lives for peace and public safety.
Pahalgam Attack: A Wake-Up Call
The April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadow, a tourist hotspot in Pahalgam, stunned the nation. A total of 26 people, including civilians and Shah, were killed in the horrific violence orchestrated by terror outfits backed by cross-border networks. In its aftermath, India launched Operation Sindoor, which involved surgical air and intelligence strikes on terror training camps across the border.
Security has since been heightened in the Kashmir Valley, especially in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Baramulla districts. Intelligence inputs indicate continued attempts by militants to disrupt peace in tourist areas and provoke fear among the local population.
Adil Shah’s act of heroism has struck a chord across the nation. Locals in Pahalgam have remembered him not only as a pony operator but also as a protector of innocent lives, whose instinct was to defend rather than flee. The government’s support of his family has been welcomed by many as a just and humane decision.
Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes for Adil, hailing him as a symbol of Kashmiri courage and calling for further recognition of civilian heroes who fall victim to terrorism.
The story of Adil Shah stands as a powerful reminder of the everyday heroes among us—ordinary citizens who rise to extraordinary bravery in times of crisis. With the government’s support for his wife, Gulnaz Akhter, the administration has taken a compassionate and commendable step toward recognizing and supporting those who bear the brunt of terrorism.
The move also reflects a deeper vision: building a Kashmir where peace prevails, heroism is honored, and no family is left behind after tragedy.
