**Tragic Loss: Karnataka Tourists Killed in Kashmir Terror Attack**
The remains of two tourists from Karnataka, Manjunath Rao and Bharath Bhushan, who lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, were brought back to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Thursday. The victims were among 26 civilians shot dead by terrorists on Tuesday.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his condolences to Bharath Bhushan’s family during a visit in Bengaluru. “On behalf of the government and 7 crore Kannadigas, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Bharath Bhushan. He was a young man, just 40 or 41 years old, and had recently completed his MBA. This tragedy should never have occurred, and I strongly condemn this incident,” Siddaramaiah stated.
He emphasized the government’s responsibility to combat terrorism, asserting, “Terrorism must not be tolerated in our country. We stand united with the central government in the fight against these threats. I urge the central government to take decisive action against all terrorists.”
Siddaramaiah described the nature of the attack as particularly heinous, noting, “Innocent people were visiting Kashmir. Bharath was shot in front of his wife while holding their child. Such acts are devoid of humanity and are utterly inhumane. I condemn this atrocity in the strongest terms.”
Drawing comparisons to past incidents, he recalled the Pulwama attack, which occurred in the same district and resulted in the deaths of nearly 40 army personnel. “These terrorists must not be allowed to exist in our nation; we must work diligently to eliminate them,” he added.
The Chief Minister also pointed out a security lapse, stating, “This appears to be an intelligence failure. The situation was not managed properly, resulting in the deaths of two individuals—Manjunath from Shivamogga and another from Andhra Pradesh residing in Karnataka.”
Minister Madhu Bangarappa is set to visit the family in Shivamogga, while Minister Ramalinga Reddy will remain with Bhushan’s family until the cremation. Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each family affected by the tragedy. “We have dispatched our officials and Minister Santosh Lad to coordinate efforts, including the return of 127 stranded individuals from Kashmir. This is our duty, and we are committed to fulfilling it.”
Union Minister V Somanna and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya accompanied the bodies back to the state. Manjunath Rao’s remains were taken to Shivamogga, while Bharath Bhushan is to be cremated in Bengaluru. Surya remarked, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India will respond decisively to this terror attack.”
Additionally, the body of S Madhusudhan, an IT professional from Andhra Pradesh who was also killed in the attack, was flown to Chennai early Thursday. Madhusudhan, originally from Nellore district, had been living in Bengaluru. Heartbreaking visuals from Chennai Airport captured a poignant moment as Madhusudhan’s son embraced his father’s coffin, whispering, “I love you, nana.”
**FAQ**
**What happened in the Pahalgam terrorist attack?**
The Pahalgam terrorist attack resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including two tourists from Karnataka, Manjunath Rao and Bharath Bhushan, who were shot by terrorists while visiting the region.
