Hapatnar, April 24 -- A large number of villagers assembled outside the house of 28-year-old Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the pony guide, who was the only local, and also the only Muslim, killed along with 25 tourists at Baisaran on Tuesday afternoon. Shah is being hailed as a hero for confronting the attackers.

Shah's family came to know about his death on Tuesday evening and his body reached Hapatnar village on Wednesday. Hundreds of local villagers attended his burial ceremony. J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah also attended the funeral of Shah, the eldest son of the family. "Shah was trying to save the tourists when he was killed. He lost his life as he made an attempt to save the lives of tourists," Omar said.

Shah is survived by his wif...