Pahalgam terror attack: Swiss visa rejection led newly-wed Naval officer to a nightmare honeymoon in Pahalgam

The couple planned to honeymoon in Switzerland, but changed plans after visa denial, says family; “Pakistan should be taught a lesson... should be ruined,” says relative

Jammu and Kashmir was not on the original list of honeymoon locations for Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and his wife Himanshi. The duo planned to go Switzerland, but when their visa was rejected, they ended up at Pahalgam instead. Six days after tying the knot, their idyllic holiday in ‘mini Switzerland’ ended in tragedy, when Vinay was killed by terrorists in Tuesday’s attack.

“Getting the leave sanctioned for the Switzerland trip was not a big deal. But they had to alter their plans due to refusal of visas,” said Vinay’s grandfather Hawa Singh, adding that his grandson would still have been with them if only he had been granted a Swiss visa.

Shot in ’mini Switzerland’

The couple left their Karnal Sector 7 home on April 21, two days after the wedding reception party, to take the flight to Jammu and Kashmir from Delhi. On their way to the airport, the duo visited Himanshi’s parents at their Gurugram Sector 47 home and spent a few hours with them.

The couple was having snacks when the terrorists descended on the picturesque Baisaran Valley, also known as ‘mini Switzerland’, and shot Vinay dead.

In a video that went viral in the aftermath of the attack, Himanshi can be heard telling locals that a man had shot her husband. “I was eating bhelpuri and my husband was standing by my side. A man came and shot him. The man said he [Vinay] was not a Muslim, and shot him,” Himanshi says in the video, recounting the horror.

‘Pakistan should be ruined’

Vinay went to school in Karnal before shifting to Delhi for higher education. He was always fascinated by the armed forces, and wanted to serve his country, according to his relatives. The 26-year-old officer had joined the Navy three years ago and was promoted over a year back.

Speaking to journalists at the family’s Karnal residence, one of Vinay’s relatives Raghubir Singh said he could not put his grief into words. “I want that Pakistan should be taught such a lesson that it does not even think of sending terrorists to India. It should be ruined,” said the elderly man. Soon after the news of the attack broke, Vinay’s father, sister and in-laws rushed to Pahalgam.

Navy’s condolences

An Indian Navy spokesperson posted a message on X, extending “heartfelt condolences to his family during this moment of unimaginable grief” on behalf of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and all Navy personnel. “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,” read the post.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also spoke to the family of the deceased officer during the day and offered his deepest condolences.

Vinay’s last rites were slated to be performed at his native village in Karnal on Wednesday evening.

Published - April 23, 2025 10:24 pm IST