‘Life Virtually Ended That Day’: Kin Of Victims Still Battling Trauma A Year After Pahalgam Attack

Last Updated:April 21, 2026, 11:23 IST

For families of 26 individuals who were gunned down by terrorists, the trauma still exists as they struggle to cope with life after the tragedy.

Kin of Pahalgam attack victims mourns loss a year after tragedy. (X)

The first anniversary of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack will be on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. A year later, the violence has ended, however, for survivors and families of victims, the trauma and pain still continues.

For families of 26 individuals who were gunned down by terrorists, the trauma still exists as they struggle to cope with life after the tragedy. It comes back whenever there is a government statement, a police update, or even social media content related to the attack. Mentions of Operation Sindoor in political speeches also bring back those memories.

While public attention has moved on, the families say that their grief has not changed. The loss remains as sharp as it was on that day.

My Life Virtually Ended…

Father of the Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who was killed in the April 22 attack, remembered his son on the first anniversary of the attack and said that his life got virtually ended after he heard the news of death of his son.

“… My life virtually ended on hearing the news, now I am just breathing to survive…” he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

Asavari Jagdale, daughter of Santosh Jagdale, who was killed in the attack described the emotional toll on her family and others who were similarly affected.

She said that this past year was very difficult for her and her family as the family lost their a loved one and now it is struggling for all the promises made by the government.

Asavari also pointed out that at least 25 other families have faced similar pain, many having witnessed the loss of their loved ones firsthand.

“This one year was very difficult for me and my family. It would have been equally tough for the 25 other families who lost their loved ones in front of their eyes… We have been through hell in the last one year- losing a loved one and struggling for all the promises made by the government… My father was a firm support to me and my mother…” she told news agency PTI.

Each Day Reminds Of Him…

Priyadarshini Acharya, wife of Prasanta Kumar Satapathy, one of the 26 killed in the attack, described how the incident reshaped her life and responsibilities.

She said that a year has passed but each day reminds her of her husband.

“… My husband died in the Pahalgam terror attack. A year has passed, yet each day reminds me of him… Everything has drastically changed after his demise, including my life and perspective… The government had promised back then to provide a government job, financial aid for my child’s education and financial assistance…” she told news agency ANI.

Pragati Jagdale, wife of deceased Pahalgam terror attack victim Santosh Jagdale said that the family had to go through a lot, but the government fulfilled all of their promises.

“A year has passed, but I am still stuck on 22 April 2026 Pahalgam attack… I did not know that he was no more; I thought maybe he had passed out, but he will survive once we take him to the hospital… Our government understood our pain and carried out Operation Sindoor… I would like to urge the government to ensure that such things never happen again… After the incident, we had to go through a lot, but the government fulfilled all of their promises… The 26 families who were affected in the Pahalgam attack will never be able to get over it… I hope that they recruit more forces into the Indian army to ensure the safety of people in such places, which would also give employment to the unemployed youth of the country…” she said.

What Happened In Pahalgam?

In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage.

India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants. The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.

(With inputs from agencies)

Read More