Wife of Slain Navy Officer Hails “Operation Sindoor,” Urges Govt to Continue Fight Against Terror

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th May: Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who tragically lost his life in the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack, has expressed her gratitude and support for India’s “Operation Sindoor.” While welcoming the government’s decisive action against terrorist infrastructure, she passionately appealed to the Centre to maintain the momentum and ensure that this operation marks the true beginning of the end of terrorism in the country.

“My husband was in the defence forces, and he wanted to protect the peace, protect the innocent lives,” Ms. Narwal said. “He wanted to make sure that there is no hatred and terror in this country. I am thankful to the government, but I request them not to end it here. I want them to make sure that this is just the start of the end of terrorism in our country.”

The young couple’s honeymoon in Kashmir turned into a nightmare when Lieutenant Narwal, a 26-year-old officer, was among the 26 civilians killed in the brutal attack. The nation was deeply moved by images of Ms. Narwal beside her husband’s body, still adorned with her wedding chooda. Following the attack, Ms. Narwal bravely urged people to refrain from directing hostility towards Muslims or Kashmiris, a message that unfortunately subjected her to a barrage of online trolling, which the National Commission of Women (NCW) strongly condemned.

Recalling her initial reaction after the terror attack, Ms. Narwal had stated, “I want the entire country to pray for him (Vinay), that wherever he is, he has found peace. That is all I ask. There is something else I wish to say. I see hatred growing, directed at Muslims and Kashmiris. We do not want this. We only wish for peace-nothing else.”

Lieutenant Vinay Narwal’s father, Rajesh Narwal, also echoed his support for India’s response. He expressed his belief that the retaliatory strikes would serve as a strong deterrent, making terrorists “think 100 times” before attempting similar attacks in the future. He recalled his earlier faith in the government’s resolve and stated that “today, the government has justified that trust.”

India carried out “Operation Sindoor” late Tuesday, launching 24 missile strikes across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir within a span of 25 minutes. Government sources reported that the operation resulted in the elimination of 70 terrorists and injuries to another 60. The targeted locations included Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal. Sources described the operation as a “statement of strategic resolve,” emphasizing its precision, coordination, and aim to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and send a clear message against cross-border terrorism and the complicity of state institutions enabling it. The government characterized its military response as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible.”

In the aftermath of India’s strikes, Pakistan reportedly resorted to indiscriminate firing and artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector, claiming lives of ten civilians.