He had recently married Himanshi Narwal, who survived the attack and recounted the horrific moment. The couple had rerouted their honeymoon to J&K after visa issues prevented their trip to Europe.
GURGAON: Newlywed Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (26) from Karnal, Haryana, was on honeymoon with his wife, Himanshi Narwal, when he was killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. The couple married eight days ago and reached J&K on Monday for their honeymoon.
The couple initially planned to visit Europe after their marriage, but they failed to get a visa. At the last moment, they planned a trip to J&K for their honeymoon.
Read related story: Naval officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal from Karnal killed in Pahalgam attack
His wife, Himanshi Narwal, survived the attack. A video has surfaced showing Himanshi saying, “I was eating bhel puri with my husband when a man came and said he’s not Muslim, then shot him.”
Poll
What’s the most effective way to combat terrorism?
Vinay’s family was informed of the incident on Tuesday evening and left for Jammu and Kashmir. His body is expected to be brought to Karnal today. Originally from Bhusli village in Karnal, Vinay’s family resides in Sector-7.
An engineering graduate, Vinay joined the Navy as a lieutenant three years ago, and he was posted in Kochi, Kerala. Vinay’s father, Rajesh Kumar, works as a superintendent in the Customs Department in Panipat. His grandfather, Hawa Singh, retired from the Haryana Police in 2004. His mother, Asha Devi, and grandmother, Biru Devi, are homemakers. Vinay’s younger sister, Srishti, is preparing for civil services in Delhi.
Vinay was engaged to Himanshi from Gurgaon two months ago after their family fixed the match. Himanshi is pursuing a PhD and takes online classes for children. Himanshi’s father, Sunil Kumar, is an Excise and Taxation Officer in Gurgaon.
According to family members, Vinay took leave for the wedding on March 28, married on April 16 in Mussoorie, and had a reception in Karnal on April 19. “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 a family member.
Vinay was supposed to celebrate his 27th birthday on May 1 on his return from J&K. “The family planned a big party upon his return from the honeymoon,” said Amit, a family member. Vinay and Himanshi were supposed to return to Kochi on May 3, where they had booked a rest house.
Neighbour Naresh Bansal said the house was filled with joy due to the recent wedding. “We got to know on Tuesday evening that terrorists shot Vinay after asking his name, while Himanshi narrowly escaped,” said Bansal.
Vinay’s grandfather, Hawa Singh, said Vinay attended Sant Kabir School in Karnal and later studied engineering in Delhi. “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,” said Singh.
Hawa Singh added that their family has a history of military service. His uncle and Vinay’s maternal grandfather’s brother were also in the army, with the latter having fought alongside the British. His nephew is also in the army. Hawa Singh himself was in the BSF before joining and retiring from the Haryana Police.
He also mentioned, “I’m diabetic. Before leaving, Vinay and Himanshi told me not to eat too much sugar. Vinay came on leave on March 28. He got engaged on March 4, had a destination wedding in Mussoorie on April 16, and a reception on April 19. On April 20, they visited Himanshi’s family in Gurgaon before flying to Jammu and Kashmir.”
