The terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, claimed the life of Manjunath, a native of Karnataka’s Shivamogga. Manjunath had been vacationing in the region with his wife, Pallavi, and their young son when the tragic incident unfolded.
Speaking to local media, Pallavi recounted the traumatic moments of the attack, which occurred around 1:30 pm. “The three of us had gone to Kashmir. It happened in Pahalgam. He died on the spot, in front of my eyes,” she said.
According to Pallavi, “Three to four people attacked us. I told them to kill me too, as they had already killed my husband. They said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi’,” she recalled, adding that the attackers did not try to harm her or her son after killing her husband. Local civilians were quick to intervene, rescuing Pallavi and her child from further harm.
Pallavi has urgently appealed to authorities for the swift airlifting of her husband’s body to Shivamogga. “The body can’t be brought down easily. It needs to be airlifted. We want it brought back immediately,” she said, devastated by the loss.
The couple’s last video from Kashmir, recorded just before the attack, showed them enjoying their vacation. In the footage, Manjunath and Pallavi can be seen appreciating the scenery of the region, having stayed on a houseboat the day before and taken a shikara ride.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage, with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing his condolences on social media. “Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident. Upon receiving the news, I convened an emergency meeting and reviewed the situation with the Chief Secretary and senior police officials. I have also spoken to the Resident Commissioner in Delhi,” Siddaramaiah wrote on X.
The CM assured the affected family that all necessary support would be extended and said the government was committed to ensuring justice for the victims. "We are closely monitoring the developments. The Government of Karnataka stands firmly with those affected,” Siddaramaiah added.