Lieutenant Narwal, just 26 years old and a native of Haryana’s Karnal, was shot dead by militants during what was meant to be a joyful first trip with his wife to Pahalgam, Kashmir. The couple had married barely a week earlier on April 16, with their reception held on April 19.
In a heartbreaking scene at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday, the wife of Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal bid a tearful goodbye to her husband, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. Video footage showed her crying inconsolably and clinging to his mortal remains.
#WATCH | Delhi | Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal's wife bids an emotional farewell to her husband, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
The couple got married on April 16. pic.twitter.com/KJpLEeyxfJ
Lieutenant Narwal, just 26 years old and a native of Haryana’s Karnal, was shot dead by militants during what was meant to be a joyful first trip with his wife to Pahalgam, Kashmir. The couple had married barely a week earlier on April 16, with their reception held on April 19.
“We were just having bhelpuri… and then he shot my husband. The gunman said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot him,” recounted the grief-stricken widow in a trembling voice.
Earlier today, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta paid their final respects to the fallen officer. His body will now be transported to his hometown in Karnal, Haryana, for the last rites.
#WATCH | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta pays last respects to Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack yesterday pic.twitter.com/KkynFT3w4a
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
According to defense officials, Lieutenant Narwal had been posted in Kochi and had joined the Navy just two years earlier. He was regarded by peers and superiors as a committed and promising officer.
VIDEO | Naval Officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal from Karnal killed in Pahalgam attack. Here’s what neighbour Seema said:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2025
“Just three days ago, Vinay got married with great celebration. The festivities went on for 10 days. He was such a lovely boy—I live right next door. He did… pic.twitter.com/NKT5rRIh2V
A neighbour, Seema, shared poignant details about the young couple: “Just three days ago, Vinay got married with great celebration. The celebrations went on for 10 days. He was such a lovely boy. He did engineering and later cleared the Navy exam to become a Class One officer.”
She further revealed that the couple had originally planned a honeymoon in Switzerland, but due to leave restrictions, they opted for Kashmir instead. “It all happened so suddenly, like someone’s evil eye hit them,” she lamented.
The attack, which targeted tourists in Pahalgam, has claimed at least 28 lives, including two overseas nationals.
According to witness accounts shared by Seema, the attackers reportedly told the officer’s wife they were “sparing her so she could go tell Modi what happened” after she pleaded with them to kill her also.