Imagine a town where the hum of daily life—chai stalls buzzing, school kids laughing, shopkeepers haggling—falls silent in an instant. That’s Dombivli, Maharashtra, today. On Thursday, this vibrant suburb of Thane shut its doors, dimmed its lights, and observed a heartfelt bandh to mourn three of its own—Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele, and Atul Mone—tragically killed in a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, has left scars across India, but for Dombivli, the pain is personal. This is their story—a tale of loss, unity, and a community’s unyielding spirit.
The Day Paradise Turned to Nightmare
Nestled in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Pahalgam is a postcard-perfect destination, famed for its rolling meadows and snow-capped peaks. Baisaran Valley, lovingly dubbed “Mini Switzerland,” draws thousands of tourists each year, including Hemant, Sanjay, and Atul, who set out from Dombivli with their families for a dream vacation. On April 22, 2025, their joy turned to terror.
Around 2:30 p.m., as families picnicked in the valley, terrorists disguised as security personnel unleashed chaos. Armed with automatic weapons, they opened fire on unsuspecting tourists, killing 26 people, including 24 Indian tourists, a Nepali citizen, and a local Kashmiri guide. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed militant group, claimed responsibility for what’s now one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Kashmir since 2019. Among the fallen were Hemant (44), Sanjay (44), and Atul (52)—childhood friends and cousins whose lives were intertwined by love and laughter.
“They were inseparable,” says Priya Bhoir, a neighbor and close friend. “Hemant sent me a photo of them grinning in Baisaran that morning. By evening, I was consoling their widows.” The Pahalgam attack didn’t just rob Dombivli of three lives; it shattered a community’s sense of safety.
Who Were Hemant, Sanjay, and Atul?
To understand Dombivli’s grief, you need to know the men they lost. Hemant Joshi, a cargo company employee, was the planner of the group, always organizing family outings and ensuring his elderly father was cared for. Sanjay Lele, an accountant, lived in a sprawling joint family home in Dombivli West, where his warm smile greeted everyone. Atul Mone, a senior section engineer at Central Railways’ Parel workshop, was a problem-solver, both at work and in his spiritual community.
“They’d known each other since they were kids,” recalls Harshal Lele, Sanjay’s 20-year-old son, who survived the attack with a bullet wound to his finger. “Dad was so excited for this trip. He kept saying, ‘Kashmir is heaven on earth.’ I wish he’d never gone.”
Their final moments were spent shielding their families. Witnesses say Atul pushed his wife behind a rock, saving her life, while Hemant and Sanjay tried to calm panicked tourists. Their courage in the face of terror is a testament to the values Dombivli holds dear.
Dombivli’s Response: A Bandh Born of Grief
When news of the tragedy reached Dombivli on Tuesday evening, the town froze. By Wednesday, thousands gathered for the victims’ final rites, their chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” mingling with cries of “Pakistan Murdabad.” The air was thick with sorrow and defiance.
On Thursday, Dombivli observed a voluntary bandh, a powerful act of solidarity led by local MLA Ravindra Chavan and backed by political parties, traders, and residents. Shops closed, schools suspended classes, and streets stood empty, adorned with black flags and banners demanding justice. “This isn’t just about three families,” Chavan told mourners. “It’s about every Indian who dreams of a peaceful vacation. We won’t let terror win.”
The Dombivli bandh wasn’t just a protest; it was a collective embrace for the grieving families. Neighbors cooked meals for the bereaved, local groups offered counseling, and social media buzzed with tributes. Posts on X with hashtags like #PahalgamMartyrs and #DombivliUnited racked up thousands of shares, amplifying the town’s resolve.
Suggested Visual: A photo of Dombivli’s deserted streets during the bandh, with black flags fluttering, or a candid shot of mourners at the victims’ funerals.
A Nation Reels, a Region Mourns
The Pahalgam terror attack wasn’t just Dombivli’s loss—it struck at India’s heart. Maharashtra lost six lives, the highest toll, followed by Gujarat and Karnataka with three each. The victims included a Navy officer on his honeymoon, an Intelligence Bureau official, and families from across the country, highlighting the attack’s indiscriminate cruelty.
In Kashmir, the attack has sparked outrage and grief. Locals, who pride themselves on their hospitality, observed a bandh on Wednesday to condemn the violence. “Tourists are our guests,” said a Srinagar shopkeeper on X. “This attack hurts Kashmir as much as it hurts India.” The region, which welcomed over 2 million tourists in 2024, now faces renewed fears about Kashmir tourism safety.
Nationally, the response was swift. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia to chair a security meeting, while Home Minister Amit Shah visited Baisaran to oversee rescue efforts. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Dombivli’s grieving families, promising support and vowing to “hunt down” the perpetrators. The Thane administration set up helplines (9372338827, 7304673105) and coordinated with Kashmir authorities to assist survivors.
The Bigger Picture: Can Kashmir Stay Safe?
The Pahalgam attack has reignited debates about tourism safety in Kashmir. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the region has seen a tourism boom, with 2024 marking record arrivals. But incidents like this threaten to undo that progress. “We saved for years for this trip,” says Anjali Oak, a Dombivli resident who was in Pahalgam with the victims’ group. “Now, I’m scared to ever go back.”
Experts argue that while Kashmir’s security has improved, vulnerabilities remain. “Tourist spots like Baisaran are soft targets,” says Dr. Vikram Sharma, a security analyst. “We need better intelligence and visible policing without compromising the region’s charm.” The attack also raises questions about cross-border terrorism, with India pointing fingers at Pakistan’s role in fueling groups like TRF.
For Dombivli, these debates feel distant. Their focus is on healing. Local NGOs are organizing vigils, schools are offering grief counseling, and airlines have added flights from Srinagar to bring survivors home affordably. But the scars will linger.
Suggested Multimedia: A video montage of Pahalgam’s beauty juxtaposed with news clips of the attack, or an infographic showing Kashmir’s tourism growth vs. security incidents.
A Call to Remember and Act
Dombivli’s bandh is over, but its message endures: terror may strike, but love and unity prevail. For the families of Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele, and Atul Mone, life will never be the same. Yet, in their loss, they’ve inspired a town—and a nation—to stand taller.
As we reflect on the Pahalgam terror attack, let’s honor the victims by demanding justice, supporting their families, and advocating for a safer India. Share their stories, amplify their voices, and hold our leaders accountable. Together, we can ensure that Hemant, Sanjay, Atul, and the 23 others didn’t die in vain.
