Dr. Sujatha, wife of Bengaluru techie Bharath Bhushan, shared painful memories of her husband’s final moments after terrorists killed him in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. Before he died, Bharath tried to calm her and their three-year-old son.
Couple Was on Vacation in Kashmir
Bharath, who worked as a diagnostic technician, and his wife Sujatha, a general physician, had reached Srinagar on April 18. They had been planning this trip to Kashmir for a long time. On April 22, they travelled to Pahalgam to visit the famous Baisaran meadows.
While enjoying the scenic spot, they found themselves caught in a sudden and horrifying terrorist attack. The peaceful vacation turned into a nightmare within moments.
Terrorist Approached With Anger
Dr. Sujatha recalled that she was near a tent looking at a traditional Kashmiri outfit when the terrorist approached them. He had just shot a tourist. Then, turning toward them, he said, “How is it that you are happy here while our children are being killed and we are suffering? Don’t you read the news about us?”
Without hesitation, the gunman shot another tourist. Then, he turned his gun toward Bharath and asked him his name. Bharath calmly said, “My name is Bharath.” The terrorist immediately shot him three times in the head at close range.
“Stay Strong,” He Told His Wife
Despite the sudden attack, Bharath’s concern was for his family. In his final moments, he comforted his wife and child. According to Sujatha, his last words were, “Don’t worry, don’t worry… stay strong.” These words remain etched in her memory as a reminder of his courage.
After firing the shots, the terrorist left the spot. Sujatha quickly ran to her husband and took his wallet. She also picked up their bags and BSNL postpaid phone, which were on a bench nearby.
“Being a doctor, I knew he won’t survive after being shot in the head,” she said. “I grabbed my son and kept running. I looked back again and again to check if the terrorists were following. There were so many dead bodies. I found a horse and climbed onto it with my son. From that point, the CRPF took care of us.” Authorities flew Bharath’s body back to Bengaluru on a special aircraft. The plane landed around 3:45 am on Thursday. Later, officials laid him to rest with full state honours in a solemn ceremony.
Three-Year-Old Witnessed His Father’s Death
After the attack, Sujatha received help and security from the Indian government and the Karnataka administration. As she travelled back from Pahalgam to Srinagar, she tried to console her young son, who had seen everything. The family, based in Mathikere, Bengaluru, was still in shock from the trauma.
Terrorists Targeted Men Based on Religion
Bharath’s mother-in-law also shared disturbing details about the attack. She said the terrorists had a clear pattern. “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,” she told reporters.
This brutal killing has not only shocked the family but also left the entire nation grieving. The attack has once again raised serious concerns over tourist safety in conflict zones.
