IAF corporal from Arunachal among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack; life cruelly taken, says CM Pema Khandu

Corporal Tage Hailyang was visiting Pahalgam with his wife. (Courtesy: X | @PemaKhanduBJP)

An Indian Air Force (IAF) corporal, who was on a holiday in Kashmir, was one of the victims of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Hailyang from Arunachal Pradesh's Tajang village, Corporal Hailyang was posted at the IAF base in Srinagar.

Confirming the news, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said he was deeply saddened by the killing of Corporal Hailyang.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror," he posted on X.

Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror.He served the pic.twitter.com/qKuJFEloPk
Pema Khandu (@PemaKhanduBJP) April 23, 2025

The Arunachal chief minister said officer Hailyang served the nation with courage and honour, and his untimely death is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire country.

Offering condolence to Hailyang's family, CM Khandu said, "Our thoughts are with his loved ones, especially his wife who survived this horrific incident. May they find strength and solace in this unimaginable time of grief. We will always remember Corporal Hailyang for his service and sacrifice".

At least 26 peeople - mostly tourists - were killed by terrorists on Tuesday at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam in one of the worst terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir.

Condemning the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (retd) said the entire state stands united in mourning this irreparable loss. "The killing of innocent people is a 'barbaric act of cowardice'. Such attacks are a direct assault on the composite and inclusive fabric of India, which binds the nation in unity and diversity," he added.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Delhi airport upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who rushed to Srinagar on Tuesday evening, laid wreaths on the bodies of 26 people killed in the terror attack. Interacting with the families of the deceased, Shah assured them the security forces would leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of the deadly attack to justice.