Bengaluru Techie Shot Dead After He Declared 'My Name Is Bharath' As Pahalgam Terrorists Asked 'Are You a Muslim?'
Pahalgam Terror Attack: When terrorists confronted Bharath and his family, they asked him to hand his three-year-old child to his wife before demanding his name.
Bengaluru techie Bharath Bhushan, 35, became a tragic victim of the Pahalgam terror attack as he was shot dead after he stated his name to armed terrorists. When the terrorists confronted Bharath and his family – his wife, Dr. Sujatha, a paediatrician at Ramaiah Hospital, and their three-year-old son- they asked him to hand the child to Sujatha before demanding his name.
To this, the techie replied “Bharath" after which the terrorists inquired about his religion. His simple reply, “Hindu," was followed by a fatal gunshot to the head which his wife and young child witnessed.
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When Bharath’s Family Learnt About His Demise
The news of Bharath’s death reached his father in a devastating manner on Wednesday morning. He told The Times of India, “I read about it in a Kannada newspaper during my morning walk. My legs gave way. I didn’t know what to do. My family had kept it a secret from me and my wife."
Just hours before the attack, Bharath had called his parents from Kashmir, sharing the scenic beauty and informing them of his family’s plans to visit Pahalgam. The initial news received by the family after the attack was misleading.
Bharath’s elder son, Preetham, informed them around 7 pm on Tuesday that his father was injured and that he and Dr. Sujatha’s brother were flying to Kashmir to bring him back, downplaying the severity of the situation. Their flight, initially scheduled for 11 am, was delayed until 2 am.
What Bharath’s Mother-In-Law Said About His Demise
Bharath’s mother-in-law provided a harrowing account of her conversation with her daughter, Sujatha. She revealed the terrorists’ cruel methodology: “They apparently asked if you were Hindu and then shot them… They shot my son-in-law because he was Hindu… They didn’t shoot women and children, but shot the men in the head. They kept shooting till they fell down."
Amidst the chaos and horror, Dr. Sujatha’s medical instincts kicked in. Realizing her husband was killed, she grabbed his mobile phone and purse and fled the scene. She managed to contact her mother around 2:45 pm on Tuesday. According to Bharath’s mother-in-law, Dr. Sujatha was subsequently taken to safety by the Indian Army.
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