Dombivli Mourns: Bandh Honors Three Lost in Pahalgam Terror Attack
Dombivli, a suburban town in Maharashtra’s Thane district, came to a standstill on Thursday, April 24, 2025, as residents observed a bandh to grieve the deaths of three locals killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The victims, identified as Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele, and Atul Mone, were among 26 people killed when militants opened fire on tourists in the scenic Baisaran meadow on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
The bandh, supported by local leaders, political parties, social organizations, and businesses, was a collective expression of sorrow and condemnation of the attack. Dombivli MLA Ravindra Chavan urged residents to participate, emphasizing the need to honor the deceased and protest the act of terrorism. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the town to console the bereaved families, where emotions ran high, with mourners raising slogans like “Pakistan Murdabad” and demanding action against terrorism.
The three victims, all from Dombivli, were childhood friends vacationing with their families in Kashmir. Sanjay Lele, 52, was the brother-in-law of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Rajesh Kadam and was traveling with his wife, Kavita. His son, Harshal Lele, 20, sustained a bullet wound to his finger. Atul Mone, 44, was a senior section engineer with Indian Railways, while Hemant Joshi, 43, worked in a private cargo company. Their funerals were held on Wednesday in a somber atmosphere.
The Thane district administration has stepped in to support the affected families, issuing helpline numbers (9372338827 and 7304673105) for residents with relatives in Pahalgam. A 24-hour emergency control room at the Thane collector’s office is assisting tourists, with contact numbers (0194-2483651, 0194-2457543, WhatsApp: 7780805144, 7780938397) provided for those needing help, per the district administration.
The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, targeted tourists in what was described as the deadliest civilian attack in the region since 2000. Across India, security has been heightened, with Delhi Police increasing vigilance at tourist sites and the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launching a manhunt in Pahalgam’s Baisran area to apprehend the attackers.