'We Had Gone There To Visit, Not To Die': Nepali Victim, Sudeep's Family Narrates Pahalgam Horror

The nation is still finding it hard to come to terms with the heinous Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent victims. Among those killed in the attack was 27-year-old Sudeep Neupane from Nepal—the only foreigner in the group. What was meant to be a short family trip to “heaven on earth” turned into a horrifying tragedy on April 22, 2025. His grieving family, still in shock, shared heartbreaking details of that day.

Nepali tourist, Sudeep’s sister, narrates the horror of the attack

On April 19, 2025, Sudeep Neupane, a 27-year-old public health graduate from Butwal, Nepal, embarked on a vacation to Kashmir with his mother, sister, and brother-in-law. In a turn of fate, they were one of the many tourist families who were enjoying the once-serene Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. Days after the brutal Pahalgam attack, Sudeep’s elder sister, Sushma, visibly traumatised from that fateful day, narrated the horror to the news channel. In a trembling voice and tear-filled eyes, Sushma shared:

“Mera bhai Hindu hone ke liye sirf un logon ne maar diya. Hum toh allah bolkar jhuk gaye, lekin mera bhai nahi jhuka. Usne chhaati pe goli khayi. Use 2 goli lagi thi. Usne bola Hindu hu, toh maar diya.”

Image: BBC Hindi

Sudeep’s sister’s tearful words captured the randomness and cruelty of that moment. She alleged that the attackers asked the group to state their religion. The family, taking a local’s advice, bowed their heads and whispered “Allah,” hoping to pass unnoticed. But Sudeep, walking a little ahead, didn’t hide. In a matter of seconds, he was gunned down. 

What Sudeep’s family said about their lost son

For Reena Pandey, Sudeep’s mother, the pain is unspeakable. As her only son, Sudeep had become a support system for Reena after her divorce from his father, Dhruv Neupane. With her only support lost, she wants nothing except justice for her son, who refused to lie and stood up for who he was. Recalling the incident, Reena told BBC Hindi:

“We had gone there to visit, not to die. What was my son's fault?... They heard ‘Hindu’ and shot him in the chest… If my son had said Muslim, he might have been saved. He did not say anything; he said, ‘I am a Nepali, I am a Hindu, I have not done anything wrong.’ He said this again and again… My son did not even try to run away. He could not do anything and was shot… He was my only son, he was my world. Who will take responsibility for me now? Who will look after me if I fall ill? My world has been robbed!”

Image: BBC Hindi

Who was Sudeep Neupane?

Sudeep’s death is not just a personal tragedy but a huge loss for his community. As a public health graduate, he worked actively on rural oral health programs, walking from village to village in Rupandehi with a clipboard in hand. Sudeep’s neighbour recalled how excited he was about visiting Kashmir, looking forward to a well-deserved break. Sudeep was the only foreign national among the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. His bullet-riddled body was kept at his home in Butwal for a few hours before being taken 70 km away for cremation.

Now, Sudeep’s grieving family urges the Indian government to honour him as a martyr, recognising that he was not just killed, but died for courageously standing up for his identity.

Watch the video here.

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