Wedding, honeymoon, cremation: Never thought it would turn into a nightmare, says wife of Navy officer killed in Pahalgam terror attack

In a video from the spot, Himanshi is heard saying, “I was eating bhel puri with my husband. A man came over and asked if he [Narwal] was Muslim. When he said no, the man shot him dead.” On Wednesday evening, as the last rites were being conducted at Narwal’s hometown of Karnal in Haryana, she said, “We never thought this trip would turn into a nightmare.”

Late last month, Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal took leave for 40 days for his wedding and birthday celebrations. On April 4, he got engaged to Himanshi, who is pursuing a PhD. Following their wedding days later, the couple took a flight to Kashmir from Delhi.

According to Narwal’s friends and neighbours, Narwal was also looking forward to celebrating his 27th birthday on May 1, for which they had planned a grand event. Two days later, he was scheduled to travel to Kochi, where he was based, along with Himanshi.

But on Wednesday evening, outside Narwal’s home in Sector 7 of GT Road in Karnal city, decorative hangings, henna stains on the walls and a garland of mango leaves at the entrance bore witness to what had been. There were also the white tents and wails of despair that echoed today’s reality.

“I never imagined my grandson would leave me like this,” said Narwal’s grandfather, Hawa Singh, who retired from the BSF before serving with Haryana Police. “He always wanted to join the defence forces since his college days. He could not clear the Combined Defence Services examination, so he took the Services Selection Board examination and got into the Navy three years ago.”

Narwal’s father Rajesh Kumar (54) works as a superintendent at the Customs department in Panipat and his mother Asha Devi (51) is a homemaker. His twin Srishti is preparing for the civil services examination in Delhi.

Family members said Narwal’s wedding was fixed with Himanshi, who also conducts online coaching classes for students, around two months ago. “His 27th birthday falls on May 1. Now, that date will forever haunt us,” said Narwal’s father, Rajesh Kumar. Himanshi’s father, Sunil Kumar, said: “Days ago, I adorned her hands with henna and chura (bridal bangles). Today, I have no words to console her.”

Vinay’s sister, Shristi, asked, “What was my brother’s fault?”

Later, as Narwal’s body arrived, the huge crowd that had gathered started raising slogans: “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”; “Vinay Narwal Amar Rahe”; “Pakistan Murdabad”.

The cremation in Model Township Puri was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Ministers Shyam Singh Rana and Harpal Singh Cheema, and senior officials including representatives of the Indian Navy. “The government stands with you. We will ensure swift justice,” Saini said.

According to Narwal’s friends and neighbours, Narwal had initially planned to visit Switzerland for the honeymoon but switched to Kashmir after he was denied permission to go abroad.

“The wedding festivities went on for 10 days. He was such a lovely boy,” Narwal’s next-door neighbour, Seema Sharma, said. “It all happened so suddenly, like someone’s evil eye had struck them. I can’t imagine what his family is going through.”

Narwal was born in Bhusli village in Karnal, but the family shifted to Sector 7 in the city around 15 years ago. He studied at Saint Kabir School in Karnal and did his Bachelor’s in Engineering in Delhi.

Earlier Wednesday, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand and Assandh MLA Yogender Singh Rana reached Narwal’s residence and met his family members. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Navy said, “Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, #CNS, and all personnel of the Indian Navy are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Lt Vinay Narwal who fell to the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this moment of unimaginable grief.”