Pahalgam massacre: Navy officer from Haryana, Lt Vinay Narwal, shot dead by terrorists while on honeymoon

Lt Vinay Narwal

A 26-year-old Indian Navy officer stationed in Kochi was among those killed in Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Southern Naval Command confirmed that Lt Vinay Narwal and his wife were on their honeymoon in the Valley when the tragedy struck.

Vinay, a native of Haryana, had tied the knot just days earlier on April 16. His wedding reception was held on April 19.

He joined the Navy just two years ago and was posted in Kochi. "He was married 4 days ago. Everybody was happy. We have received the information that he was killed by terrorists, and he died on the spot,” one of his neighbours said.

A joint search operation is currently underway in Pahalgam, led by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The incident, which targeted the has sparked widespread outrage across the country.

Residents across Jammu and Kashmir came together on Tuesday evening to hold candlelight marches in a show of solidarity and condemnation following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Locals participated in peaceful demonstrations in Baramulla, Srinagar, Poonch, and Kupwara. In Jammu, members of the Bajrang Dal also staged a protest denouncing the brutal assault.

Five tourists from Maharashtra were among those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, as confirmed by a statement from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office. In response to the tragedy, Shinde has urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to arrange a special flight to bring back stranded tourists from the state.

The Union Minister assured that once the list of stranded individuals is provided, immediate steps will be taken to prioritise their return to Mumbai.