A year after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Arunachal Pradesh is remembering one of its own: Indian Air Force Corporal Tage Hailyang, who died while trying to help others escape during the attack.
In Tajang village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district, a newly built memorial now stands in honour of the 26-year-old air warrior. The village, located in the forested hills of one of India’s most remote regions, gathered to remember the young soldier whose death shocked the Northeast and the country.
On April 22, 2025, gunmen opened fire on tourists near the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack took place in the scenic area often called ‘Mini Switzerland.’ Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed in the attack.
Among them was Corporal Tage Hailyang, who was posted at the Indian Air Force base in Srinagar. He had travelled to Pahalgam with his wife during a short vacation when the attack took place. He was killed in the ambush, while his wife survived.
What made his death deeply emotional for people in Arunachal Pradesh was the account of his final moments. Despite having a chance to escape, Hailyang reportedly stayed back to help civilians move to safety before he was shot by the terrorists.
The Indian Air Force later said that “all air warriors of the Indian Air Force are grieving the loss of Corporal Hailyang in the Pahalgam terror incident” and offered condolences to his family.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had also paid tribute to the airman after the attack. He said: “While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, Hailyang’s life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror. 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.”
When Hailyang’s mortal remains reached Tajang village last year, thousands gathered to pay their respects. Chief Minister Khandu, ministers, legislators and senior officials attended the funeral. The state government announced financial assistance of ₹50 lakh for the family and promised a government job for one family member.
One year later, the family says the pain remains.
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Guardian, Hailyang’s brother, Tage Take spoke about the family’s struggle after his death.
“It has been one year,” he said. “The house condition is not that good. We have other family members at home. We are working hard to survive. And we are trying to remember him as much as we can.”
He added, “Today, we have built a memorial in his name to remember him forever.”
The memorial in Tajang has now become a place where local residents gather to pay tribute to the fallen airman.
Across the country, the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack was marked with tributes for the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten.”
Back in Tajang village, the memory of Corporal Tage Hailyang continues to live on; not only through the memorial built in his name, but also in the words of his family and the sacrifice he made in his final moments.
