At least 22 people were killed when lightning struck a market in Azad Kashmir on Monday, local media and officials reported. The deceased included nine members of Tableegi Jamaat, who were staying at a nearby local mosque, and two army troops, local broadcaster Aaj News reported, quoting offi-cials of Azad Kashmir Disaster Management Authority. The incident took place in Leswa town of Neelam Valley — a famous tourist desti-nation — near Line of Control, a de facto bor-der that divides disput-ed Kashmir valley be-tween Pakistan and In-dia. The Leswa Market was completely de-stroyed by lightning, of-ficials said.
Several vehicles of tour-ists were also missing due to torrential rains that caused flash floods in the region, they add-ed. Pakistan‟s army troops have joined local administration in the rescue operation.
Allah Ta‟ala says in His Glorious Qur‟aan:
“The Thunder recites His Tasbeeh with His Hamd (Praises), and (so do the Malaaikah) out of Fear. He (Allah) des-patches the Lightning, and it then strikes whom-ever He wills. (Whilst this Punishment of Allah occurs), they (the mis-guided people) dispute regarding Allah (His Shariah). (Know!) That He is Most Stern in Pun-ishment.”
Ra‟d, i.e. the thunder or the Angel Ra‟d who drives along the rain clouds and all the Ma-laaikah quiver with Fear for Allah Ta‟ala. Therefore, they recite His Praises. But insolent people, in their immoral holiday resorts, and in their daily lives reckless-ly and flagrantly deny Allah‟s Shariah. While some brazenly reject the Shariah, other deviates misinterpret the ahkaam to suit the narratives of their carnal lusts.
Undoubtedly, the epi-sode in Kashmir is Al-lah‟s Athaab. May Allah Ta‟ala save us from His Wrath.