Pahalgam terror attack: Rejected visa for Europe led slain Navy Officer Vinay Narwal to honeymoon in Kashmir

Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana, was shot dead in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. He was on his honeymoon with his wife, Himanshi Narwal, who survived the attack. The couple had married just eight days earlier. According to a TOI report by Bagish Jha, they had initially planned a honeymoon in Europe but had to cancel the trip after being denied a visa.

Vinay and Himanshi reached Jammu and Kashmir on April 21. They checked into a hotel in Pahalgam the next day. According to family members, after dinner, the couple visited a local tourist spot where the attack occurred.

A video surfaced from the scene, where Himanshi said, “I was eating bhel puri with my husband when a man came and said he's not Muslim, then shot him.”

Vinay’s family, based in Sector 7 of Karnal, was informed on Tuesday evening and left for Jammu and Kashmir the same night. His mortal remains are expected to arrive in Karnal today.

(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)

Vinay was an engineering graduate who joined the Navy three years ago. He was posted in Kochi, Kerala. His father, Rajesh Kumar, is a superintendent in the Customs Department in Panipat. His mother, Asha Devi, and grandmother, Biru Devi, are homemakers. His younger sister, Srishti, is preparing for the civil services in Delhi. His grandfather, Hawa Singh, retired from the Haryana Police in 2004.

Vinay got engaged to Himanshi, a PhD scholar from Gurgaon, two months ago. She also conducts online classes for children. Her father, Sunil Kumar, is an Excise and Taxation Officer in Gurgaon.

Vinay took leave on March 28 for wedding preparations. The wedding was held on April 16 in Mussoorie, followed by a reception in Karnal on April 19. They visited Himanshi’s family in Gurgaon on April 20 before flying to Kashmir the next day.

“They had planned a honeymoon in Europe, but it was canceled due to visa issues. Instead, they left for Jammu and Kashmir on April 21 and stayed in a hotel in Pahalgam on April 22. After dining, they went to the destination point where the terrorist attack occurred,” said Amit, a family member.

Vinay was scheduled to return to Kochi on May 3. His 27th birthday was on May 1, and the family had planned a celebration on his return.

Neighbour Naresh Bansal said, “We got to know on Tuesday evening that terrorists shot Vinay after asking his name, while Himanshi narrowly escaped.”

Vinay’s grandfather recalled that he had always aspired to serve the country. “He prepared for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam since school but was unsuccessful. He then prepared for the SSB and was selected for the Navy three years ago.”

The family has a tradition of military service. Vinay’s maternal grandfather’s brother served in the army during British rule, and another nephew is also currently serving. Hawa Singh himself served in the BSF before joining the police.

Singh also shared a personal moment from their last meeting. “I’m diabetic. Before leaving, Vinay and Himanshi told me not to eat too much sugar.”

with inputs from TOI