In a gripping tale of survival and interfaith awareness, a Hindu man from Jammu narrowly escaped death during a recent terror attack in Kashmir, reportedly by reciting an Islamic verse that led his assailants to spare his life.
The incident occurred on the outskirts of Pulwama district on April 20, 2025, when militants intercepted a group of non-local workers and began interrogating them about their religion and origins. Among the group was 34-year-old Ravi Sharma, a carpenter from Jammu’s Udhampur district, who had moved to Kashmir just two months ago for work.
Eyewitnesses and officials familiar with the case say the attackers were attempting to identify non-Muslims among the group. When Ravi was questioned, he reportedly remained calm and quoted the Islamic phrase “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim” (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). The attackers, startled by his composure and apparent familiarity with Islamic phrases, momentarily hesitated.
“His pronunciation was nearly perfect, and he followed it by saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum’ in a very respectful manner. It confused the militants,” said one of the survivors who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons.
According to the survivor’s account, one of the gunmen even asked Ravi to recite a verse from the Qur’an. Ravi, who had learned a few verses during his time working with Muslim friends in Delhi and Kashmir, recited Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Qur’an — a prayer known and recited by Muslims daily.
The gunmen reportedly whispered among themselves before one of them said, “He might be a Muslim or has respect for Islam. Let him go.”
In a region that has seen decades of religious and political strife, the story has gone viral on social media, hailed by many as a moment that underscores the power of shared humanity and cross-cultural understanding. Ravi is now back in Jammu, recovering from the trauma but also reflecting deeply on his narrow escape.
“I never thought knowing a few verses from another religion could save my life,” he told reporters from his home. “I’ve always tried to respect all religions. I’ve lived with Muslims, shared food with them, celebrated Eid with them. Maybe that helped me in that moment.”
Security agencies have launched an investigation into the attack, which left two other workers injured. No group has claimed responsibility, though officials suspect the involvement of a newly emerged local militant outfit with known affiliations to foreign-based handlers.
Jammu & Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack, calling it “cowardly” and reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and migrant workers in the region.
Social media has since been flooded with messages of solidarity. One viral post read: “Hate divided them. Humanity saved him.”
Ravi’s story is now being seen not just as a tale of survival, but a lesson in empathy — a powerful reminder that even in conflict zones, compassion, respect, and understanding can sometimes defuse the darkest moments.
