Pulwama, Apr 24: A pall of grief enveloped Pune on Thursday as the city bid a heart-wrenching farewell to two close friends—Kaustubh Ganbote (58) and Santosh Jagdale (50)—who were among the 26 victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of South Kashmir, on April 22.
The bodies of the victims were flown to Pune early Thursday morning and taken to their respective homes, where large crowds gathered to pay their final respects.
Ganbote’s funeral procession began from his residence in Kondhwa, with friends, relatives, and neighbors lining the route in solemn silence. Many mourners broke down in tears, overwhelmed by grief.
Ganbote, who owned a snacks business, was remembered by friends as a devoted family man and a loyal friend. His enduring friendship with Jagdale, who juggled multiple jobs, had stood the test of time. Despite their hectic schedules, the two met every Sunday for coffee—an unbroken ritual that reflected the depth of their bond.
Jagdale had recently moved into a new home in Karvenagar and was preparing for his daughter’s upcoming wedding. Friends described him as kind-hearted, ever-helpful, and full of life.
According to media reports, Ganbote and Jagdale were shot dead in front of their family members in the Baisaran valley.
Political leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Medha Kulkarni, visited the grieving families to offer condolences.
The last rites of Ganbote and Jagdale were performed at around 11 am at the Vaikunth Crematorium.
