In a chilling terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Tuesday, Manjunath, a realtor from Shivamogga, Karnataka, lost his life. His wife, Pallavi, a bank manager, recounted the horrifying ordeal, revealing how she and her 18-year-old son, Abhijeya, confronted the attacker, pleading to be killed alongside Manjunath. The terrorist, however, spared them, instructing them to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the assault. Speaking to a Kannada media outlet over the phone, Pallavi said, “My husband died before my eyes. I couldn’t cry or react—I was numb. We came to Pahalgam for a vacation from Shivamogga.”

Describing the chaos, Pallavi noted, “There were three or four attackers, not in army uniforms. They targeted men, especially Hindus. Around 500 tourists were present, including many newlyweds, but mostly husbands were attacked.” She faced one terrorist, saying, “You killed my husband, kill me too.” Abhijeya, in anguish, added, “You dog, you killed my father, kill us too.” The terrorist coldly replied, “I won’t kill you. Go tell Modi.” Pallavi credited their driver and three locals, who were chanting “Bismillah,” for guiding them to safety. “We were on horseback visiting ‘Mini Switzerland.’ Manjunath went to get bread for Abhijeya, who hadn’t eaten. Suddenly, gunfire erupted. I saw him collapse, shot in the head, lying in a pool of blood,” she recalled, her voice breaking.

Pallavi now seeks to return to Shivamogga with her husband’s body, insisting, “I won’t go alone. All three of us must return together. I urge authorities to airlift his body.” The family arrived in Kashmir on April 19 and was set to return on April 24. Manjunath’s mother remains unaware of his death, told only that he is injured. The attack has left the family shattered.

Pahalgam Attack Helplines: Emergency Control Room, Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651; Adil Fareed, ADC Srinagar: 7006058623; 24/7 Tourist Help Desk, Anantnag: 9596777669, 01932-225870, WhatsApp: 9419051940.