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A young Indian Navy officer who got married just a week ago, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer shot in front of his wife and children, and US-based TCS employee originally from Kolkata were among those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
The attack claimed the lives of at least 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam , when terrorists opened fire at a well-known tourist spot in the area.
**Read Pahalgam terror attack LIVE Updates here**
As soon as reports of the incident broke out, Pahalgam’s busy streets quickly became empty as tourists left for safer places.
The attack has drawn massive condemnation , both within India and internationally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Jeddah at the time, has since returned to New Delhi and vowed that those behind the violence will face justice.
In this explainer, we take a closer look at the victims who were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
List of people who died in Pahalgam terror attack
1) Vinay Narwal (Karnal, Haryana)
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Haryana’s Karnal, was among those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. He got married just a week ago.
Narwal, who was posted in Kochi, was on leave and had travelled to Kashmir for a short holiday with his wife after their wedding on April 16.
Their reception was held on April 19.
#WATCH | Karnal | MLA Jagmohan Anand meets the family of Indian Navy Officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while he was on leave in J&K pic.twitter.com/4RdSTxC6ES
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe couple had originally planned a honeymoon in Europe, but could not get visas in time. They decided at the last moment to visit Jammu and Kashmir instead, according to The Times of India.
In a video that has since appeared, his wife, Himanshi Narwal, is seen saying, “I was eating bhel puri with my husband when a man came and said he’s not Muslim, then shot him.”
Narwal had joined the Navy two years ago. His sudden death has left his family, neighbours, and colleagues in deep shock.
Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, #CNS, and all Personnel of the Indian Navy are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Lt Vinay Narwal who fell to the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this moment of unimaginable grief.… pic.twitter.com/4x5OH7zUmq
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 23, 2025
Himanshi is currently pursuing her PhD and also teaches children online. Her father, Sunil Kumar, works as an Excise and Taxation Officer in Gurgaon.
People from their neighbourhood remembered Narwal as a bright young man with a promising future.
2) Manish Ranjan (Bihar)
Ranjan, an Intelligence Bureau officer posted in Hyderabad and originally from Bihar, was killed in front of his wife and children.
He was in Kashmir with his family on Leave Travel Concession (LTC).
Ranjan was working in the ministerial wing of the IB office in Hyderabad. He was shot in the head while his wife and two children escaped unharmed.
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3) Tage Hailyang (Arunachal Pradesh)
Corporal Tage Hailyang, a 30-year-old Indian Air Force staff member from Arunachal Pradesh, was visiting Kashmir with his wife when he was killed in the terror attack .
He belonged to Tajang village in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh, and was posted at the IAF base in Srinagar.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” by Corporal Hailyang’s death.
Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror.
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) April 23, 2025
He served the… pic.twitter.com/qKuJFEloPk
He wrote, “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror. He served the nation with courage and honour, and his untimely death is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire country.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones, especially his wife, who survived this horrific incident. May they find strength and solace in this unimaginable time of grief. We will always remember Corporal Hailyang for his service and sacrifice. Om Mane Padme Hum.”
4) Shubham Dwivedi (Uttar Pradesh)
Dwivedi, a newlywed from Uttar Pradesh, was among the civilians killed in the terror attack.
Shubham got married on February 12, 2025, just two months before the attack. He had travelled to Kashmir with his wife for a short holiday.
What was supposed to be a happy trip turned into a nightmare.
Speaking to ANI, Shubham’s cousin, Saurabh Dwivedi, shared details of the attack. He said that the terrorists began firing after asking for the names of the individuals, and Shubham was shot in the head.
“He was in Pahalgam with his wife. My sister-in-law called my uncle and told him that Shubham was shot in the head. It is also being said that the firing started after asking for the names of the individuals,” he said.
He added, “We have received information that the body will be released after 2-3 days after completing all the procedures.”
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5) Bitan Adhikary (West Bengal)
Adhikary, a 40-year-old TCS employee originally from Kolkata who lived and worked in Florida, had travelled to Kashmir with his wife, Sohini, and their three-year-old son for a family holiday.
Their trip turned into a nightmare when Adhikary was killed by terrorists in Pahalgam.
Bitan’s wife and son remain in Kashmir, while the West Bengal government is making efforts to bring his body back home.
The news has left the family in huge shock.
Bimal Roy, Bitan’s uncle, was unable to hold back his tears when speaking to News18. “Sohini asked me, “Uncle, what will I do? Why did they do this?”
“What will I tell his son? Where is his father? We can’t bear this pain. They went there to enjoy, not to die,” his cousin, Dipak Chakraborty, said when Bengal minister Arup Biswas visited their home in Kolkata to offer condolences.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a social media post that she spoke to Bitan’s wife on the phone and assured her that she is taking steps to bring his mortal remains back to Kolkata.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the devastating terrorist attack on the tourists in Jammu and Kashmir today.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 22, 2025
One of the victims, Sri Bitan Adhikari, is from West Bengal. I have talked with his wife over phone. Though no words are enough to console her in…
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the devastating terrorist attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir today. One of the victims, Sri Bitan Adhikary, is from West Bengal. I have spoken to his wife over the phone. Though no words are enough to console her in this hour of grief, I have assured her that my government is taking all steps to bring his mortal remains back to Kolkata. My deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this inhuman act of terror,” she posted.
6) Syed Adil Hussain Shah (Jammu and Kashmir)
Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local horse rider and the sole breadwinner for his family, was also killed in the Pahalgam attack.
His death has devastated his family, who are now left grieving and seeking justice for the loss of their loved one.
Speaking to ANI, Syed Adil Hussain Shah’s father, Syed Haider Shah, said, “My son was the only one who earned for our family. He went to Pahalgam yesterday to work, and around 3 PM, we heard about the attack. We called him, but his phone was switched off. Later, at 4:30 PM, his phone turned on, but no one answered. We rushed to the police station, and that’s when we learned that he had been injured in the attack.”
He added, “My son was martyred, and he was the only earner of our family. We want justice for his death. He was an innocent man. Why was he killed? Whoever is responsible must face the consequences.”
His mother tearfully said, “He was the only support we had. He used to ride horses and earned money for the family. There is no one else to provide for us now. We don’t know what we will do without him.”
The family is now seeking government assistance as they cope with their grief and the uncertainty of their future.
7) Dinesh Mirania (Chhattisgarh)
Mirania, a businessman from Chhattisgarh’s Raipur, was among those who died in the attack after succumbing to his injuries.
Samta Colony,Raipur, Chhattisgarh businessman Dinesh Miraniya dies in Pahalgam terrorist attack.He was injured in a terrorist attack in J&K and succumbed during treatment.He had gone to Kashmir with his wife and two children to celebrate their wedding anniversary #Pahalgam pic.twitter.com/ykKbPAW8OX
— Aakash ( पहला हमेशा पहला ) 🇮🇳 (@akashkarmakar3) April 22, 2025
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep condolences and condemned the brutal and inhuman act by the terrorists.
He said, “Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity, and it cannot be accepted in any form.”
The Chief Minister assured the victim’s family that the state government stands with them during this time of grief. He also instructed local authorities and officials to provide all possible support to the family of the deceased.
8) Manjunath Rao (Karnataka)
47-year-old Manjunath Rao from Karnataka’s Shivamogga was killed in the Pahalgam attack while vacationing with his wife, Pallavi, and their 18-year-old son, Abhijeya.
The family had arrived in Jammu and Kashmir three days earlier and had gone to an area that is popularly known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ when the shooting took place.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Pallavi said, “Someone shot my husband from afar. When my son and I came to the spot, he was already no more."
She recalled shouting at the terrorist, “You have killed my husband, kill me as well. The son also said the same… but he left.”
This is the last video of Manjunath Rao with his wife.
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) April 22, 2025
He was from Karnataka's Shivamogga, and was killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K.
Terrorists shot him dead in front of his wife and son after identifying his religious identity. pic.twitter.com/dKzfFj8FZE
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the attack, saying, “Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident."
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar confirmed that a police team has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir to help those stranded and to bring back the bodies of the victims from Shivamogga.
9) Prashant Satpathy (Odisha)
Prashant Satpathy, an Accounts Officer from Odisha, was also killed in the attack.
He was on a short vacation to Jammu and Kashmir with his wife and young son.
The family was initially left in the dark about the whereabouts of his wife and son.
I deeply condole the demise of Prashant Satpathy from Remuna area of Balasore district, who became a victim of heinous terror attack in Pahalgam.
— Manas Mangaraj (@manasrmangaraj) April 22, 2025
My prayers are with his family in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/ctryZP9XwZ
Susanta Satpathy, his elder brother, shared the painful moment when the family received the news.
“We received the information around 3 PM… When we called the toll-free number, they just informed us about the death of my younger brother. I have no information about my younger brother’s wife or my nephew, where they are,” Susanta said.
10) Shailesh Bhai Himmat Bhai Kadatiya (Gujarat)
Kadatiya, a 44-year-old from Gujarat, lost his life in the attack, while his wife and children managed to survive and are safe.
He was on a trip with his wife and two children when the attack took place on Tuesday.
‘My husband was shot in the head’
According to witnesses, as soon as the shooting began, the few locals who depend on tourism for a living quickly ran for cover, leaving the tourists exposed and vulnerable.
A woman survivor, speaking to PTI, shared her harrowing experience, saying, “My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack.”
She did not identify herself but urgently asked for help to transport the injured to the hospital.
“Bhaiyya, please mere husband ko bacha lo (Brother, please save my husband),” she cried out desperately to the reporter.
With inputs from agencies
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