Funeral of Niraj Udhwani takes place in his Jaipur hometown
The funeral of Niraj Udhwani, a Dubai resident who was among the 26 people killed in a militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, took place in his hometown of Jaipur on Thursday. Udhwani, a finance manager, was in India to celebrate a friend’s wedding when he was tragically killed in a gunfire attack in the Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist area in Pahalgam, reported thenationalnews.com.
Remembered by colleagues and loved ones
Udhwani, in his early 30s, had been living in Dubai with his wife, Aayushi, for several years. He worked as a finance manager for a school group in Dubai and was a beloved member of the team. His colleagues at Cognita School Group in the UAE expressed deep sorrow, remembering him as a dedicated and kind individual.
“He was a dedicated and inspiring member of staff, and a kind, generous colleague. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time,” a spokesperson for Cognita said.
Reports suggest that Udhwani and his wife were holidaying in Pahalgam after attending a friend’s wedding. His uncle, Bhagwandas Udhwani, shared that they were planning to return to Dubai shortly before the attack.
Witnesses reported militants emerging from the surrounding forest, opening fire on a crowd of tourists in a meadow where around 1,000 people had gathered. The attack has been blamed on Pakistan, with Indian officials accusing the country of supporting “cross-border terrorism.”
Political tensions rise after the attack
The attack has sparked tensions between India and Pakistan, with India accusing Pakistan of involvement and downgrading diplomatic ties. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring those responsible to justice, calling terrorism “unacceptable.”
The shooting occurred during the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India, who offered his condolences, as did US President Donald Trump, condemning the attack as “deeply disturbing.” The attack is expected to escalate already rising tensions between India and Pakistan, both of which claim Kashmir in its entirety.