Surat banker killed a day before birthday in Pahalgam terror attack

RAJKOT/SURAT/GANDHINAGAR: A day before he could celebrate his 44th birthday in scenic Kashmir, Surat resident Shailesh Kalathiya fell prey to the bullets of terrorists in Pahalgam, leaving his family completely shattered.
Alok Pandey, relief commissioner of Gujarat, confirmed Kalathiya's death. Kalathiya, who worked with a leading nationalised bank, went on a vacation to Kashmir with his wife Sheetal, daughter Niti, and son Naksh. He was currently posted in the insurance department of the bank's Kandivli branch in Mumbai for the last one year. Before being transferred to Mumbai, Kalathiya was posted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Kalathiya was to celebrate his birthday on April 23, sources confirmed.
Three other tourists from Gujarat, 61-year-old Vinubhai Dabhi, a resident of Bhavnagar, Manika Patel, and Rinoo Pandey, were also injured in the attack. Pandey said their condition was stable.
Kalakhiya, who lived in Harikunj Society in the Chikoowadi locality of Katargam area, was originally from Drufaniya village of Amreli district and settled in Surat. His cousin brother lives in Mota Varaccha. The family members left for Kashmir to bring back his body.
Meanwhile, a father-son duo from Bhavnagar, Yatish Parmar and Smit, are incommunicado. Bhavnagar Range IG Gautam Parmar said the local authorities are in constant contact with J&K police and CRPF to trace their whereabouts.
Injured Vinubhai Dabhi's daughter, Sheetal, a constable with Bhavnagar police, told the media that a bullet grazed his arm, but the authorities assured the family that he is out of danger. Dabhi was part of a group of 20 relatives who travelled to Srinagar on April 16 to attend a spiritual gathering led by preacher Morari Bapu.
"I spoke to my parents around 2:30 pm, and they sounded cheerful, enjoying their time in mini Switzerland, Baisaran in Pahalgam. After hearing about the attack, I called my mother again at 5:30 pm. She told me my father was injured, but the wound was not serious," Sheetal said.
She added that a relative sitting next to her mother heard a loud blast, and moments later, gunfire erupted. "Everyone started running for cover," said Sheetal, who left for Pahalgam later in the night.
Dabhi's son Ashwin informed that the group travelled from Surendranagar to Katra aboard the Jammu-Tawi Express to attend the religious event. Their return journey was planned for April 30, with stops at Vaishnodevi, Punjab, and Rajasthan.