iaf-corporal-from-arunachal-among-28-dead-in-pahalgam-attack

An Indian Air Force corporal from Arunachal Pradesh was among the 28 people killed in the deadly terrorist attack at Pahalgam on Tuesday, in which militants opened fire on tourists and civilians.

 

Corporal Tage Hailyang, aged 30, hailed from Tajang village in Ziro, Lower Subansiri district, and was serving at the IAF base in Srinagar. He was visiting Pahalgam with his wife on holiday when the attack occurred, according to reports from NDTV.

 

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed grief over the loss and paid tribute to the fallen airman.

 

"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror," Khandu said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

 

Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror.

He served the… pic.twitter.com/qKuJFEloPk

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) April 23, 2025

 

"He served the nation with courage and honour, and his untimely death is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire country. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, especially his wife who survived this horrific incident. May they find strength and solace in this unimaginable time of grief. We will always remember Corporal Hailyang for his service and sacrifice. Om Mane Padme Hum," he added.

 

The attack, which officials believe was orchestrated by an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), left dozens wounded and sparked national outrage. The Resistance Force (TRF), believed to be linked to LeT, has claimed responsibility.

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Jammu and Kashmir late on Tuesday to assess the situation on the ground.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, returned to New Delhi early on Wednesday and immediately held a high-level security meeting at the airport with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other top officials.

 

The funeral arrangements for Corporal Hailyang are likely to take place in his native village, as tributes pour in from across the nation for the young soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice during what was meant to be a peaceful holiday.

Also read: First in 35 yrs, Kashmir shut after Pahalgam attack kills 28