Srinagar, April 24 -- Nazakat Ahmad Shah, a 28-year-old tourist guide from Halwan Ganiegund, was leading a group of 11 tourists from Chhattisgarh through the scenic trails of Kashmir. What started as a peaceful stroll in the lush surroundings of Baisaran turned into chaos when sudden gunshots pierced the afternoon calm.

"At first, I thought someone had lit firecrackers," Nazakat recalled. "But then I saw people diving to the ground-and I knew it was gunfire."

What happened next was a moment of pure instinct. Nazakat, ignoring the hail of bullets, picked up three children from the group and motioned the rest to follow. Through a narrow opening in the park boundary, he led the terrified tourists to safety.

All the while, his heart raced-...