Here's HOW a horse-riding mishap saved Kannur's Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher's family from Pahalgam massacre

Kannur: A three- member family from Taliparamba in the district had a narrow escape, after their travel plans were delayed due to an accident during a horseback ride in Kashmir.

Sudhas Kannoth, a motivational trainer of Palkulangara near Taliparamba, his wife Preethi, a school teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kannur and their son Mrinal were among those who had planned to visit Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam. The family had arrived in Srinagar on April 18 and spent three days sightseeing before heading to Pahalgam on April 22.

Around 1130 am, they began a horse ride as a trial, through a rugged trail route. However, during the ride, the head of the family Sudhas Kannoth accidently fell off the horse.

Following the incident, the family decided to skip the horse ride to Balsarab Meadows and instead return to their lodge in Pahalgam. They had originally planned to stay in the Baisaran meadows areas but cut their visit short and returned to Srinagar, shaken by the fall.

It was on April 22, only a day after their departure, terrorists killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam. Now the family believes that the accident might have been a sign that ultimately saved them from the catastrophe. Family sources expressed their gratitude for the twist of fate that kept them safe.