Lifelong Friendship Ends in Kashmir Tragedy as Two Pune Families Lose Their Pillars During Holiday Terror Attack

What began as a long-awaited family holiday to the picturesque valley of Pahalgam turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy for two lifelong friends from Pune. Kaustubh Gunbote, 58, and Santosh Jagdale, 50, had survived life’s challenges side by side. But in a cruel twist of fate, their first vacation together would also be their last.

The two families had traveled together, seeking peace and connection in the beauty of Kashmir. Accompanied by their wives and Jagdale’s daughter Asawari, they looked forward to creating memories. Instead, they became victims of a brutal terrorist attack — gunned down in front of their loved ones.

Both men were known for their unwavering commitment to their families and to each other. Gunbote, a hardworking entrepreneur, had built his snacks business from the ground up. Jagdale, ever the hustler, juggled multiple roles — interior decorator, insurance agent, and small business owner — always finding ways to support his loved ones.

Despite their packed schedules, they had a ritual: every Sunday, they would catch up over coffee. Their bond wasn’t just between two friends; it was between two families. “Santosh was like family. My nephew and he were inseparable since childhood,” recalled Jyoti Gunbote, Kaustubh’s aunt.

It was this closeness that made the decision to travel together to Kashmir an easy one. Just a month before, the idea was born when Jagdale dropped by Gunbote’s snack store. Neither knew it would be the last trip they would ever plan.

Their final moments, as described by Asawari, are haunting. After the shooting began, the families hid behind a tent. The attacker approached and fired directly at Jagdale, then turned to Gunbote. In the panic, the rest were forced to flee, unable to help the two men they loved most.

The loss has left a void not just in their families but in the hearts of everyone who knew them. “We still can’t believe they’re gone,” said a friend. “Every Sunday will feel emptier now.”

Their story is a reminder of how fragile life can be — and how even the most ordinary plans can be shattered in an instant.