New Delhi:
Youth Vinay narwal Was inspired to serve his country. He was inspired by his father’s example, who served with the Border Security Force and Haryana Police. He was inspired by the military vehicles carrying him to the past as a boy. He was motivated to fight to protect India.
The dream began two years ago – with a commission in the Navy and a posting in Kerala.
And then on 16 April 2025, he also vowed to become a good and loyal husband for Himanshi.
After less than a week, both dreams were extinguished at the end of the gun.
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, 26, WAS Killed by a terrorist in Pahgam in Jammu and KashmirAnd it was not during an encounter or military op. He was shot dead on a honeymoon.
The sad grandfather of Lieutenant Narwal, Hawa Singh spoke to NDTV from the family house in Karanal in Haryana, remembering his grandson and recalled the determination with which he followed a military career.
“We came to Colonel from our village … He lived in Sector 7, there was a small school. He studied there and did his matriculation from there, and then did his high school education in Delhi.”
The young Narwal was always fascinated by the armed forces and always wanted to serve his country, Dada recalled NDTV, saying, “When he used to see military vehicles in childhood, he used to ask me a lot of questions. ‘How is this’, ‘What is this’, ‘What is this’ …”
26 -year -old Vinay Narwal joined the Navy two years ago and was promoted from 2 lieutenants.
“In fact, he used to get angry that I worked with BSF and he was not.”
A service giant, Dada knew how difficult life could be in the army, accepting, “I know how difficult the work of the border is … and after that I served in Haryana Police … So I asked him not to go like this, because it is very difficult.”
But the young Narwal was adamant. He wanted to join the army to serve his country.
And so, when studying in Delhi, he is sitting for CD, or joint defense services, examinations, a standardized test for the recruitment of candidates in various military academies. But it was not yet his time.
Read | Navy officer, married 7 days ago, Pahgam was killed in terrorist attack
His time will come after completing his B.T. from SRM University in Sonepat, Haryana.
He then approved the SSB, or Services Selection Board, which recruits officers-Rank candidates and is a fierce five-day case that tests the physical and psychological states of the candidates.
Dada said, “He was directly selected from SSB … He joined the Navy as another lieutenant and was promoted 18 months ago. He became a lieutenant.”
Lieutenant Narwal, it appeared, was ready to script a sterling military career.
But fate had other, crew, plans.
Read | Death in 26 Pahgam attack, late-linked group claim responsibility
A week after their marriage, Vinay and Himanshi Narwal were in Pahalgam for a holiday. He was in the Besaran Valley, a picturesque green tourist hotspot also known as ‘Mini-Switzerland’.
And on that horrific day at 2.30 pm, the terrorists fell down from the hill and set fire.
Twenty -six people, including Lieutenant Narwal, died. All men. Many people shot in front of their colleagues.
Video | Jammu -Kashmir terrorist victims beg for help, “Save my husband”
Lieutenant’s grandfather told NDTV that the family was told that Narwal was eating when he was killed, shot in the head. And now asked what is his demand for the government, Dada quietly said, “What will we ask for? The government will do what it wants.”
“Nothing can be done about him (to bring him back). So we don’t ask for anything.”
“The terrorist shot him. He died,” Dada concluded.
‘Evil will never succeed’, PM’s fast
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack and in an X post, “The people behind this heinous act will not be spared … Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unwavering …”
Shri Modi, who was on a state trip to Saudi Arabia, returned to Delhi when the attack took place. His aircraft landed on Palam Air Force Base – this morning – after escaping from Pakistani airspace on its way.
Under his direction, Home Minister Amit Shah reached Pahgam on Tuesday night; He made an emergency video call with first National Security Advisor Ajit Dowal, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Jammu -Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha, along with heads of state and federal security agencies.
Read | PM condemned J&K attack, “The evil agenda will never succeed”
Mr. Shah has vowed the government “will be heavy on criminals”.
Omar Abdullah, an apoplactic Chief Minister, called terrorists “animals and inhuman”. He also said that the attack was “much larger than anything directed by citizens in recent years”.
The opposition has also called for action against the terrorists.
