The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday met Dr. Sujatha, wife of Bengaluru-based software engineer Bharath Bhushan, who was killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, NIA officers questioned her about the family’s itinerary, the events leading up to the attack, and whether any of the gunmen spoke directly to her. Investigators also sought details of any physical traits of the attackers that could aid identification.
Bharath Bhushan, 41, had visited Kashmir with his wife and child on April 18, shortly after his birthday. He was shot dead on April 22 in the Pahalgam assault, which targeted tourists.
The agency also plans to question the family of Manjunath, another Karnataka victim from Shivamogga. His wife, Pallavi Manjunath Rao, shared chilling details of the incident. She said that although the terrorists didn’t ask directly about religion, some witnesses revealed that the attackers separated Hindus and Muslims before opening fire.
“They shot my husband at close range. It wasn’t random; they first targeted, then fired indiscriminately,” she stated.
Describing the attack’s timeline, Pallavi recounted reaching Baisaran Valley by 1:30 pm, where gunfire erupted shortly after dismounting horses. “We begged for help for nearly an hour. A Navy officer was still alive, but in the chaos, no one could assist,” she said.
The investigation is ongoing, with the NIA piecing together survivor accounts for leads.
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