Jhalda martyr’s family finds closure after terrorists killed in Kashmir
The Statesman | 30 July 2025
The family of Intelligence Branch (IB) officer Manish Ranjan Mishra (33), who was martyred in the Pahalgam terror attack, expressed relief and a sense of justice after assailants reportedly linked to the incident were gunned down by security forces in Kashmir.
Mishra, a native of Jhalda in Purulia district, was among the three tourists from West Bengal, who lost their lives in the attack, which claimed 26 lives in total.
Mishra, who had recently been transferred to Hyderabad from the Ranchi office of the central IB, was on holiday in Kashmir with his wife and two children when he was tragically killed while trying to protect fellow tourists. The attackers opened fire from behind bushes, and his family, witnessing the horror unfold, could do nothing to stop the violence.
His parents and relatives had been scheduled to join him at the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu the following day.
“We saw the news on television that the terrorists had been killed in Operation Mahadev near Srinagar, almost three months after the attack. Though delayed, we feel justice has finally been served. But our family demands strong action against the Pakistani conspirators behind the plan,” said his younger brother, Vinit Ranjan Mishra.
Manglesh Kumar Mishra, father of the late DSP, said: “It’s a small solace that justice has been delivered. But my son will never return, and his children will grow up without a father. My daughter-in-law must now raise them on her own.”
“My son joined the Central IB in 2015-16 and aspired to become an SP. His life ended far too soon. He was an exceptional student, and the department will sorely miss his brilliance,” he added.
Brother Vinit recounted the moment his brother was shot: “Musa, one of the terrorists killed, was the one who fired at my brother. Manish’s instincts as an intelligence officer made him assess the threat quickly, and he tried to protect others. That’s when the terrorists targeted him.”
The NIA, which is investigating the attack, has visited the Mishra residence in Jhalda and spoken with his widow and children. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee also extended her condolences over the phone following the incident.
Jhalda Municipality is planning to name the road leading to Mishra’s house in his honour. Meanwhile, the families of all three victims from West Bengal wished that Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had met them during his visit to Kolkata earlier this month.