Mohan Lal had been battling cancer for a long time. Living in poor financial condition, he depended largely on the support of local residents during his illness. Villagers said they stood by him through his difficult days, helping him with his daily needs and ensuring he never felt abandoned. While thousands of Kashmiri Pandits left the Valley during the early 1990s, Mohan Lal decided to remain in the village where he had spent his entire life. Many described him as a humble and respected man who maintained warm relations with everyone in the village.