Kanpur man killed in Pahalgam terror attack cremated with full state honours

Shubham Dwivedi, a 31-year-old businessman from Kanpur, who tragically lost his life in the Pahalgam terror attack, was cremated with full state honours on Thursday morning in his native village.

The cremation ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Cabinet ministers Yogendra Upadhyay and Rakesh Sachan. They placed wreaths on Shubham's mortal remains and extended their heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.

A guard of honour was also presented to the departed soul, in recognition of his life and sacrifice.

Shubham, who had married Ashanya just two months earlier on February 12, was among the 26 victims, mostly tourists, who were killed in the horrific terrorist attack on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, near Pahalgam in Anantnag district. This attack is one of the most gruesome civilian-targeted acts of violence in Kashmir in recent years.

Shubham's body was brought to the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow from Srinagar around midnight on Wednesday. A green corridor was swiftly established to transport his remains in an ambulance to his native village, Hathipur, in Kanpur district.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also paid his respects to Shubham at the Lucknow airport, further expressing his condolences.

The newlywed, who was the only son in his family, had gone on a week-long trip to Kashmir with his wife Ashanya, along with their parents, in-laws, sister, brother-in-law, and other relatives. Tragedy struck when terrorists shot him at point-blank range in front of his wife.

Ashanya, speaking to the media, described the chilling events, explaining how the terrorists specifically targeted Hindus. "The terrorists asked people if they were Muslims, and if so, to recite ‘kalma’ (Islamic declaration of faith). Before I could sense what exactly was happening, they shot Shubham in front of me as soon as he said he was a Hindu," she recalled.

The last rites ceremony in Kanpur was attended by thousands of mourners, including CM Yogi, the two Cabinet ministers, state Congress president Ajay Rai, and many senior officials, all of whom paid their respects to Shubham and his family during this sorrowful moment.