NEW DELHI, April 21: The Indian Army on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the perpetrators of terrorism on the eve of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, asserting the response is decisive when “boundaries of humanity are crossed” as families of the victims said they are still coming to grips with the loss.
As a tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack that took place in the meadows of Baisaran valley, a memorial has been erected in the hill resort of Pahalgam. Built of black marble, it bears the names of the 26 victims – 25 tourists and local ponywallah Adil Shah – and has been constructed along the banks of the Lidder river.
For the family of N Ramachandran, one of the tourists killed, nothing has changed and the family is yet to recover from his untimely death.
Ramachandran, 65, on holiday in Kashmir with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren, was gunned down by terrorists in the attack on April 22 that sent shockwaves across the country, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor, a military response targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan.
Arathi R Menon, before whose eyes her father was killed, said there was nothing more for her to say about the tragedy.
“What more to say. I don’t want to say anything more. A year has gone by, everything is the same. So, I don’t want to comment anything about it. Right now I am not in a state to comment anything. I am so sorry,” she told PTI in Kochi.
She also said she was in Kochi on-and-off for the past one year and will now return to Dubai permanently.
For the family of Lt Vinay Narwal, the Indian Navy officer who was among those killed, too, life hasn’t been the same.
Lt Vinay, 26, and his wife Himanshi were on a honeymoon in Pahalgam when terrorists shot him at point-blank range.
Speaking to reporters at his Karnal residence, Rajesh Narwal, a government employee, said for the past one year, the family has been grappling with the loss.
He said that his son’s death was not only painful for the family, but also a major loss for the nation.
The family of Manjunath Rao, a realtor from Shivamogga in Karnataka, says the trauma remains etched in their minds even as they try to move on with life. “They cannot forget anything. It remains in their minds. But life has to go on… They have no choice but to cope. His wife is not willing to speak about it… What is there to say? Life has to go on,” his cousin Ravi Kiran told PTI.
Rao (47) was shot dead in front of his wife Pallavi and their son.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has deployed additional police and paramilitary personnel in and around Pahalgam, with intensified checking at multiple points and heightened surveillance to ensure a peaceful commemoration on Wednesday.
Senior officials said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the event, which is expected to be attended by several politicians, civil society members, families of the victims, and local representatives. (PTI)
