Florida-Based Indian Techie Bitan Adhikary Shot Dead in Pahalgam Terror Attack During Kashmir Trip

Kolkata / Pahalgam – What was meant to be a joyful reunion and a peaceful family holiday turned into a nightmare when Bitan Adhikary, a 40-year-old Indian techie working in Florida, was tragically killed in a terrorist attack at Baisaran, Pahalgam — a location often referred to as “Mini Switzerland” in Jammu and Kashmir.

On a sunny afternoon, as families relaxed on the grass soaking in the beauty of the valley, armed terrorists launched a sudden and brutal assault, opening fire indiscriminately. Bitan, who was sitting with his wife Sohini and their three-year-old son, was hit and died on the spot. His wife and child miraculously survived but are left devastated.

“They didn’t give us time to move or run. They just opened fire,” Sohini said, speaking from the Pahalgam base camp, her voice shaking with trauma.

A Life Dedicated to Family and Hard Work

Bitan hailed from Baishnabghata in Kolkata. A graduate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Technology, West Bengal, he worked as a Test Manager at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Brandon, Florida. Known for his humility, dedication, and kindness, Bitan had flown into Kolkata on April 8 to spend quality time with his family after two long years apart.

His wife, Sohini, and their son had been living in Kolkata due to professional constraints. This short trip to Kashmir was meant to be a break — a way to relive the togetherness they had missed for so long. But fate had other plans.

A Nation in Mourning, A Family Shattered

The Pahalgam attack, which claimed over 25 lives, has triggered a wave of national outrage and mourning. Condemning the barbaric act, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her deepest condolences and assured complete state support to the victims’ families.

“Our administration is coordinating at Delhi Airport for the safe return of all affected families to Kolkata,” she stated.

The mortal remains of Bitan and other victims are being flown to Kolkata, with their flight expected to land around 8:30 PM tonight.

A Brother’s Grief, A Promise Unfulfilled

Bitan’s younger brother shared a haunting memory:

“He told me that after returning from Kashmir, we’d plan a longer trip somewhere close to home. I never thought that would be our last conversation.”

The family is inconsolable, and the tech community — both in India and abroad — is mourning the loss of a valued colleague and a beloved human being.

Government Support & Ongoing Investigation

Security forces have intensified operations in the area following the ambush. Meanwhile, the Indian government has assured full cooperation in the investigation and has pledged logistical and emotional support to the victims’ families.

Counselors and trauma experts have been deployed at various transit points, including airports and hospitals, to assist the survivors in coping with the mental aftermath.

Final Words

What was meant to be a family’s cherished holiday has now become a symbol of sorrow, highlighting the fragility of peace in conflict zones. Bitan Adhikary’s death is a grim reminder that terror spares no one — not even innocent tourists who come seeking peace among the mountains.

As his grieving family returns to Kolkata, a city he once called home, the nation stands united in grief, demanding justice and praying for strength for those left behind.