The tragic story of Navy officer’s wife, who has become the face of the Pahalgam massacre

A heartbreaking image has come to define the horror of the Pahalgam terror attack — a newly married woman, her wrists still adorned with chooda (the red and white bangles worn by brides), silently sitting besides her husband’s lifeless body.

The newly-married couple was reportedly on their honeymoon when terrorists opened fire at a tourist hotspot in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, including two foreign nationals. Most of the victims were tourists from different parts of India, travelling with their families and children.

The couple in the viral image has been identified as Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and his wife, Himanshi.

In a chilling video shared online, the woman can be heard pleading for help, “I was eating bhel puri with my husband. A person came and asked if he [Narwal] was Muslim. When he denied, the man shot him dead. Please save my husband!”

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The image of Himanshi sitting distraught beside her husband has become one of the most powerful — and painful — visuals from the attack.

Here’s what we know about them.

Visiting Kashmir was not their first choice

Vinay Narwal and Himanshi had originally set their hearts on Europe for their honeymoon. But when their visa didn’t arrive in time, they made a last-minute change in plans and chose Kashmir instead.

According to a report in The Times of India, the couple had only just tied the knot on April 16 in a destination wedding in Mussoorie. Vinay, a 26-year-old Lieutenant in the Indian Navy, was on leave for the ceremony. A few days later, they left for their honeymoon.

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“They had planned a honeymoon in Europe, but it was cancelled 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,” a family member told TOI.

Vinay was just three years into his service in the Navy, posted in Kochi, Kerala. Before that, he earned an engineering degree and dreamed of serving in the defence forces.

“Vinay always wanted to join the defence forces since his college days. He could not clear the Combined Defence Services examination, so he took the Services Selection Board examination and got into the Navy three years ago,” his grandfather, Hawa Singh, told The Indian Express.

His family has a background in uniform—Hawa Singh himself retired from the Border Security Force (BSF) and later served with the Haryana Police. His father, Rajesh Kumar, also works as a superintendent in the Customs Department in Panipat.

Vinay had recently got engaged to Himanshi, a scholar from Gurugram, after their families arranged the match. She is currently pursuing a PhD and also teaches children through online classes.

The tragedy that unfolded in Pahalgam has turned what should have been the happiest chapter of their lives into a national heartbreak.

**Read Pahalgam terror attack LIVE Updates here**

‘We will be proud of him’: Himanshi bids emotional farewell

As Vinay’s mortal remains arrived in Delhi on Wednesday, his wife Himanshi stood by the coffin, grief written all over her face. Clutching it tightly, she broke down.

“We will be proud of him every day… we should be proud of him,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion.

#WATCH | Delhi | Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal's wife bids an emotional farewell to her husband, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack

The couple got married on April 16. pic.twitter.com/KJpLEeyxfJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025

“I pray that his soul rests in peace. He has the best life wherever he is, and we will make him proud in every way. It is because of him that we are still surviving,” Himanshi added, bowing several times before the coffin, which had Vinay’s Navy officer cap placed on top. Her family members eventually helped her away.

In a powerful moment, she turned back, wiped away her tears, stood upright and gave her husband a final salute. “Jai Hind,” she said firmly, as Navy officers and other mourners watched in silence.

Meanwhile, tributes poured in.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed condolences to the bereaved families, calling the incident “unfortunate.” “The government stands in solidarity with the families who have lost their members,” he said. Saini also spoke to Vinay’s grandfather Hawa Singh via video call.

Local leaders, including Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand and Assandh MLA Yogender Singh Rana visited the family to offer support.

In a statement, the Indian Navy also paid its respects.

“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,” read the Navy’s official statement.

“The #IndianNavy also stands in solemn solidarity with all others that lost their lives in this heinous act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and we pray for the swift recovery of those injured,” it added.

BJP’s Ghibli-style post on the couple sparks political row

Even as the country mourned, a political controversy broke out online over a post by the BJP’s Chhattisgarh unit.

The party shared a Ghibli-style animated image of Vinay and Himanshi, captioned in Hindi: “Dharm poochha, jaati nahi… yaad rakhenge” (“They asked religion, not caste… we will remember”).

धर्म पूछा, जाति नहीं...#Pahalgam#PahalgamTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/yekBB0woL8

— BJP Chhattisgarh (@BJP4CGState) April 23, 2025

The post, intended to be a tribute, quickly drew backlash from Opposition leaders who slammed it as tone-deaf and insensitive.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav called it a “childish advertisement” on a deeply painful tragedy. “Even if BJP removes this advertisement, even its staunch supporters will not forgive this sin. BJP always looks for opportunities for its power and politics in disasters. BJP is not close to anyone except its own power,” he wrote on X.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also lashed out at the ruling party. “Wait for the corpses to cool down, vultures. Someone’s entire life has been destroyed— and you’re thinking of cartoons. Are you looking for opportunities even in this disaster?” she said.

With input from agencies