Rourkela: A last-minute change in itinerary saved a Rourkela couple from becoming victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 28 tourist lives on April 22. Pramod Kumar Nayak (57) and his wife Sandhya Rani Nayak (48), residents of Mani Colony, Panposh, attribute their survival to divine intervention and their cab driver’s crucial suggestion to alter their planned route. “We had initially planned to visit the spot where the tragic incident took place, but our cab driver suggested we go to Betwa flower garden first. That decision saved our lives,” said Pramod, still shaken by the close call.
The couple started their Kashmir tour on April 18, flying from Bhubaneswar to Srinagar via Delhi. After exploring various tourist destinations, including Gulmarg and Sonmarg, they reached Pahalgam on April 22 around 11 am, along with 11 other tourists from Odisha.
The group was enjoying their time at Betwa flower garden when the gatekeeper suddenly urged them to leave immediately. Their cab driver, sensing danger, rushed them back to their hotel in Pahalgam. It was only then they learnt about the terrorist attack at their intended destination.
“We couldn’t sleep that night, constantly praying to Lord Jagannath for our safe return home,” recalled Sandhya Rani. The couple, who had originally planned to return on April 25, rescheduled their departure and left Kashmir on April 23 morning. Upon reaching Odisha, their first stop was the Jagannath Temple in Puri, where they offered prayers in gratitude for their miraculous escape. The couple finally reached Rourkela on Sunday.