‘I’ll Make Him Proud’: Emotional Tribute by Navy Officer’s Wife After J&K Attack
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal was killed during a honeymoon trip in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam; his wife saluted his coffin through tears, vowing to make him proud.
Delhi | April 23 — What started as a love-filled honeymoon of promise and love became a nightmare of unimaginable sorrow for Himanshi Narwal, who was left to salute the coffin of her bridegroom husband, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, barely a week after the wedding.
The 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana, was one of the 26 victims of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday. The couple had gotten married on April 16, had their reception three days later, and then set off for Kashmir on Monday. It was supposed to be a happy beginning to their life together.
But as they shared bhelpuri in the peaceful Baisaran meadow, popularly referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’, a terrorist approached and gunned down Lieutenant Narwal with a head shot, killing him. Blood splattered on her face, Himanshi narrated in a video, filled with tears, “We were having bhelpuri when a man approached and killed my husband.”
The following day, Lieutenant Narwal’s body was airlifted to Delhi. By his coffin, Himanshi wept silently, clutched it tightly, and insistently bowed her head to offer her last respects. But in a poignant moment that shook the nation, she dried her tears, stood upright, and saluted her martyred husband, crying “Jai Hind” as Navy officials, relatives, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stood by in stunned silence.
It is all because of him that the world is still existing,” she replied, her voice shaking but steady. “We will not let him down in any manner.”
Lieutenant Narwal was not very old when he joined the Navy, two years ago. He was stationed in Kochi and had a great future ahead of him. His grandfather, retired BSF officer Hawa Singh, remembered how Vinay used to always aspire to serve the nation.
“He would get angry that I had served in the BSF and he hadn’t yet. I cautioned him how difficult this path is, but he was adamant,” said Singh, eyes brimming with pride and sadness.
Chosen directly by the Services Selection Board, Narwal was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant merely 18 months ago. It is a tale of duty, sacrifice, and honor—echoing through the tears of his young bride and the salutes of his peers.
The Baisaran attack shook the nation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortening his Saudi Arabia trip and Home Minister Amit Shah hurrying to Kashmir. Tourists, honeymooners, and civilians were among the victims. An Intelligence Bureau officer was also killed.
The country now laments not just the death of a courageous officer but the aspirations of a young couple shattered by terror. But in the tragedy, Himanshi Narwal’s salute is tall—a poignant tribute to her husband and a message that his legacy will endure.
