West Bengal CM Confirms Three Residents Killed in Kashmir Terror Attack

Bitan (L), Sameer (M)  and  Manish(R) 

Agencies, April 23, 2025 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed on Wednesday that three residents of the state were among the 28 victims killed in the recent terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam region, which targeted a popular tourist spot. The attack on Tuesday claimed the lives of 26 people, including foreign tourists, and left several others injured.

Banerjee described the incident as a "grim hour" for the state and assured that her government was making all necessary arrangements to bring the victims' families back to Kolkata. "Three persons from our state have tragically lost their lives in this unfortunate violence," she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The victims have been identified as Bitan Adhikari from Baishnabghata, Kolkata; Samir Guha from Sakher Bazar, Kolkata; and Manish Ranjan Mishra from Jhalda, Purulia district. 

Bitan Adhikari 40, who had recently returned from US was shot in front of his family; his wife and kid survived the attack, though deeply traumatized. Sameer Guha 52, a central government employee, was killed while on a family trip to the region with his wife and daughter who survived the attack. Intelligence officer Manish Ranjan Mishra from Purulia in Bengal was shot dead in front of his wife and children in the horrific attack.

The Chief Minister added that all arrangements were being made at the Delhi Airport to help the victims' families travel to Kolkata. The flight carrying the bodies is expected to arrive in Kolkata at around 8:30 pm on Wednesday. "The Resident Commissioner’s office in Delhi is coordinating with the families to ensure a smooth journey," she said.

Mamata Banerjee extended her condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, stating, "We are with them in their time of grief. The state government is providing all possible support during this tragic moment."

TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, also condemned the terror attack, calling it a failure of the central government’s policies. "The Modi government had promised that the abrogation of Article 370 would bring lasting peace to the region, but today’s attack highlights the failure of those promises," Abhishek said.

Local leaders, including Kunal Ghosh, shared their grief over the incident, stating that Bitan Adhikari was on a family trip when he was shot by militants. State Cabinet Minister Aroop Biswas visited Adhikari's family in Kolkata and assured them of all necessary support to bring the body back from Kashmir.

The Chief Minister had earlier expressed her anguish on X, writing, "I am deeply anguished by the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. This act of violence is utterly reprehensible and must not go unpunished."

Authorities in Kashmir have assured that the investigation is ongoing and that the bodies of the victims will be returned to their families after the completion of the necessary formalities.