A 58-year-old LIC branch manager from Indore, Sushil Nathaniel, was among the 26 Hindu tourists brutally gunned down by Islamic terrorists in a chilling attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. What began as a family trip to celebrate his wife’s birthday turned into a blood-soaked tragedy that has left the nation shaken.
Nathaniel, who was posted as the Branch Manager of LIC in Alirajpur district, had travelled to Kashmir with his wife Jennifer (54), daughter Akanksha (30), and son Austin alias Goldie (21) on April 21. The family had chosen the picturesque Pahalgam valley as the backdrop for Jennifer’s birthday celebrations.
But the serenity of Baisaran meadow was shattered when Islamist terrorists opened fire on Hindu tourists. Amid the chaos, Nathaniel was reportedly confronted by the gunmen, separated from his children who had gone ahead, and accompanied only by his wife.
Jennifer, recalling the horrifying incident in a phone call to her brother-in-law Vikas, said, “Akanksha and Austin were ahead near a gate, while Sushil, needing to use the restroom, was with me. Suddenly, terrorists appeared. He quickly urged me to hide behind a tree and confronted the attackers alone. They asked him about his religion. He said he was a Christian. Then they demanded he recite the Kalma. When he couldn’t, they shot him dead while he was on his knees.”
Nathaniel sustained grave injuries, particularly to his head, and was rushed to Srinagar for emergency medical treatment. However, he succumbed to his wounds. His daughter Akanksha was also hit in the leg during the ambush and is currently recovering in hospital. Jennifer and Goldie escaped physical harm but remain deeply traumatised.
“He died protecting his wife,” said cousin Sanjay Kumrawat, grief-stricken. “He hid her behind a tree as bullets rained down. Since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, Sushil always talked about visiting Kashmir. He finally made it, but he won’t return home alive. His son told us that he saw his father being asked to kneel and recite the Kalma. When he couldn’t, they shot him in cold blood.”
Kumrawat, who last spoke to Nathaniel a month ago, added, “He was thrilled about the Kashmir trip. The terrorists targeted people only because they weren’t from their faith. We support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demand the strongest possible response against these murderers and their backers.”
Indu Dawar, the deceased’s cousin sister, echoed the family’s anguish. “He had gone to Kashmir with his wife and children. He was shot after being asked his religion. We want justice. The terrorists should be given the strictest punishment.”
The attack, which has reignited concerns over the safety of tourists in the region, has prompted swift action from both the state and central governments. Indore Collector Ashish Singh has assured full support to the grieving family.
“Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed us to remain in constant contact with the family. We are coordinating with Jammu and Kashmir authorities to extend every possible help,” Singh said.
