Pahalgam terror attack: ‘He died like a brave soldier…country standing with us…but irreparable loss,’ says grandfather of Lt Vinay Narwal

Married just about a week ago, 26-year-old Narwal, accompanied by wife Himanshi, was on a honeymoon in Pahalgam when terrorists shot him at point blank. His last rites were held in Karnal Wednesday evening. On Thursday, scores of people reached the Navy officer’s home to offer condolences.

“He died like a brave soldier…,” said Rajesh Kumar, the slain officer’s father. “It is an irrepairable, unbearable and intolerable loss for us,” he said, while adding that today the entire country is standing with his family and families of others who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar met the bereaved family at their home in Karnal. Khattar represents Karnal parliamentary constituency and had earlier remained a two-time MLA from Karnal Assembly seat, broke into tears while consoling Hawa Singh. Condemning the terror attack as “shameful”, he said, “It is unbearably sad that we lost a brave officer who had a long service to the nation ahead of him”.

He said all political parties have strongly condemned the incident and there is anger among countrymen.

“Today the countries of the world are standing with us against terrorism in this matter and India will definitely do whatever is necessary to suppress terrorism and to take revenge for these incidents,” he added. Rajesh kumar said his was in the third year of his engineering, when he expressed desire to join the defence forces. He wanted to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, but ultimately secured a job in the Indian Navy after clearing the exam in his first attempt.

Asked what message he has for Pakistan and those indulging in incidents of terror, Kumar said, “This is a matter pertaining to my country and the government is doing its job.” He also complimented the Jammu and Kashmir government and the local administration there for extending all required help after the incident. On Wednesday, Narwal’s sister Srishti told Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini that she wants “jinhone mere bhai ko maara, dead”. Saini replied to Srishti and her family members that “Jisne maara hai, voh marega. Justice milega”.

“We all condemn this cowardly act and strict action would be taken against those responsible. Such people must be taught a lesson,” Saini said.

Meanwhile, Congress MPs from Rohtak and Ambala, Deepender Singh Hooda and Varun Chaudhary also met the bereaved family in Karnal.

Speaking to reporters later, Hooda said the Pahalgam terror incident has shaken the entire country. He said those who carried out the act and those behind it are the “enemies of the country and humanity”.

“As an opposition MP, I want to say the entire country is united. This is not an attack on Lt. Vinay Narwal or other citizens who were killed in the incident, but it was an attack on our country and India knows how to respond,” Hooda said.

Rajya Sabha member Kartikeya Sharma also met the bereaved family. He later said the incident, which was carried out by the enemies of the nation, is extremely inhumane. “It is filled with brutality…I believe the Centre will give a very fitting response and those who have carried out the act will have to pay a heavy price,” he added.

Meanwhile, a group of NCC students reached Karnal carrying a portrait of Vinay Narwal and handed it over to the Navy officer’s father.