PULWAMA, May 20, 2026 : In a touching display of brotherhood and communal harmony, Muslims and Sikhs in the Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district joined the last rites of a Kashmiri Pandit woman who had continued to live in her native village despite the turbulent years of militancy in the Valley.
Jigri, a 90-year-old resident of Midora village in Tral, passed away on Tuesday. She had remained in her ancestral home even during the peak of militancy that began in 1990, symbolizing resilience, coexistence and deep-rooted bonds within the local community.
Soon after news of her demise spread, hundreds of people belonging to Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities gathered at her residence to stand in solidarity with the grieving family and assist in performing the final rites.
Her mortal remains were cremated at the local crematorium amid emotional scenes of unity and shared grief.
A local resident, Ayatollah, described the elderly woman as a mother figure for the entire village.
“She was our mother, and we are all mourning her. You can see Sikhs, Pandits and Muslims all assembled here in grief,” he said.
Residents recalled that Jigri’s husband worked as a respected hakeem (traditional healer) who treated villagers for years and earned immense respect across communities.
“People rarely needed to visit doctors because he would always help everyone with treatment and care,” the resident added.
The gathering reflected Kashmir’s age-old traditions of communal harmony, mutual respect and coexistence, sending a powerful message of unity beyond religious boundaries.
