One-year Pahalgam anniversary: Unfading grief

New Delhi: The Indian Army issued a stern warning to terrorists on the eve of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, vowing decisive action when "boundaries of humanity are crossed". Families of the 26 victims continue to struggle with profound loss, as a black marble memorial bearing their names was unveiled along the Lidder river in the hill resort.

The April 22 assault in Baisaran valley killed 25 tourists and local ponywallah Adil Shah, shocking the nation and prompting Operation Sindoor against terror launchpads in Pakistan.

For N Ramachandran's family from Kochi, the pain endures. The 65-year-old was gunned down on holiday with his wife, daughter Arathi R Menon, and grandchildren. "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," Arathi told PTI, announcing her permanent return to Dubai after a year in Kochi.

Lt Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old naval officer on honeymoon with wife Himanshi, was shot at point-blank range. His father Rajesh, a Karnal government employee, described the family's year-long grief as a "major loss for the nation".

Manjunath Rao, 47, a Shivamogga realtor, died in front of wife Pallavi and their son. Cousin Ravi Kiran said the trauma lingers: "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."

Bengaluru IT professional Bharath Bushan, 41, fell to bullets while his wife and three-year-old son survived. Father V Chennaveerappa shared: "We are in a lot of pain. I don’t wish to speak about it. My wife is also unwell. We are in deep distress."

Pragati and Asavari Jagdale witnessed husband Santosh and his friend Kaustubh Ganbote killed amid targeting of unarmed Hindu tourists. "We were all happy, taking pictures at Baisaran Valley when suddenly gunshots were heard. Within moments, terrorists targeted my husband, his friend Kaustubh Ganbote, and other unarmed Hindu tourists on the basis of religion and killed them," Pragati recalled. The family battles anxiety, insomnia, and fear of loud noises despite counselling. "I don’t think any treatment can erase this memory or reduce its intensity. It will stay with us for life," Asavari said.

In Hapatnar village, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde fulfilled a promise by handing over a new house to Adil Shah's family via a Shiv Sena event.

The Army posted on X: "When boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Justice is Served. India Stands United. #SindoorAnniversary #JusticeEndures #NationFirst."

Jammu and Kashmir authorities bolstered security in Pahalgam with extra police, checks, and surveillance for Wednesday's commemoration, attended by politicians, civil society, victims' kin, and locals.

(Inputs from PTI)