Urgent Response Required: Bhupinder Hooda on Pahalgam Attack

Chandigarh, April 23 (NationPress) Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda stated on Wednesday that a robust and resolute counterattack is essential against those responsible for the Pahalgam attack.

“There is widespread anger across the nation in response to this despicable act. The entire country stands united against terrorism. The government must ensure that the offenders are not excused under any circumstances. A decisive offensive against terrorism is crucial, sending a strong message to the country’s adversaries,” he emphasized.

Hooda insisted that the guilty must face justice, calling for a forceful strike against terrorism, expressing that the cowardice displayed by the brutes who attacked innocent tourists in Pahalgam is simply unacceptable.

“Until those cowards and their leaders are brought to justice, the families of the victims will not receive the justice they deserve,” he remarked. Hooda also paid a heartfelt tribute to Karnal resident and Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, aged 26, who had just recently married before being killed in this attack.

“The nation stands with the family during this tragic time,” he added.

The Navy officer, who wed on April 16, was among the 26 individuals who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist incident.

He was celebrating his honeymoon in Pahalgam when disaster struck. His wife, Himanshi, is from Gurugram. Their wedding reception took place on April 19.

Originally from Bhusli village in Karnal district, Narwal was residing in Sector 7 of Karnal city. He had joined the Navy three years prior. Lieutenant Narwal is survived by his father Rajesh Narwal, an employee in the Excise Department; his mother Asha Narwal; his sister Srishti; and his grandfather Hawa Singh, a retired police officer.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini conveyed his condolences to Lieutenant Narwal’s grandfather via video call, assuring the family that the state is unwaveringly supportive during this time of sorrow.

Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand, and Mayor Renu Bala Gupta also visited the family to offer their respects.

Lt. Narwal’s neighbor, Seema, shared with the media that Vinay’s wedding was a grand affair.

“The celebrations lasted 10 days. He was a wonderful young man. He completed his engineering and subsequently passed the Navy exam to become a Class I officer. They intended to honeymoon in Switzerland, but due to leave constraints, they opted for Kashmir instead. The entire situation unfolded so abruptly, as if struck by an evil eye,” she recounted.

“We were informed last night. I can’t fathom the pain his family is enduring. His twin sister and father have gone to retrieve his body.”

“We saw videos of a girl in tears, pleading with the terrorists to take her life too, but they replied, ‘We are sparing you so you can inform Modi of what transpired,'” she added.

Initial reports indicated that Lieutenant Narwal sustained gunshot wounds to the chest, neck, and left arm and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

At least 26 tourists and local civilians were killed on Tuesday as gunmen opened fire on innocent individuals in Baisaran, Jammu and Kashmir.

Eyewitnesses recounted that a group of heavily armed terrorists emerged from nearby forests, unleashing indiscriminate fire on civilians, primarily targeting tourists.

Baisran is a small meadow located three to four kilometers from the Pahalgam market, accessible only by horse due to the absence of a motorable road.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Wednesday morning after shortening his trip to Saudi Arabia in light of the terror attack.

He held a brief meeting with NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at the airport. PM Modi strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Tuesday, asserting that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to combatting terrorism.