Naval officer on honeymoon trip among victims of Pahalgam terror attack

Kochi: A naval officer, who was posted in Kochi, was among the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday noon. Naval authorities in Kochi confirmed that Lt Vinay Narwal, 26, of Southern Naval Command and his wife were on a honeymoon trip to Kashmir. Vinay, who is a native of Haryana, got married on April 16.
Gulf returnee killed
A 65-year-old Kochiite was among those killed in terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as N Ramachandran, a resident of Mangat Road at Edappally.
A Gulf returnee, Ramachandran went to Kashmir along with his wife Sheela, daughter Ammu and two grandchildren on Monday morning. According to the information received by family members, Ramachandran was shot dead while others escaped the attack narrowly. It is learned that some of his relatives also accompanied him on the trip.
"It's shocking to hear of Ramachandran's death in terror attack. He had been actively engaged in social work after returning from Doha two years ago," said his neighbour Vijayakumar, who is also the president of Mangat Road Residents Association. Ramachandran was the association's vice-president.
"Ammu was in Dubai along with her family. When she returned to Kerala recently, Ramachandran decided to visit Kashmir along with family. They departed Kochi airport on Monday morning and went to Srinagar via Hyderabad, Vijayakumar said.
Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said efforts were currently under way to communicate with Ramachandran's family members, who are still in Pahalgam.
"It's deeply painful for us to learn that one of the victims was Ramachandran, a native of Thrikkakara. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives in the brutal attack. The terrorist attack on innocent tourists is a cowardly assault on humanity and the peace of Kashmir. I urge the central govt to respond with a strong and decisive retaliation against the terrorists," she said.