Preparations are underway in Karnataka’s Shivamogga to receive the body of Manjunath, a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack, with tearful eyes and heavy hearts. Locals say Manjunath had travelled to Kashmir with his wife and son to celebrate their son’s recent success in the II PU exams. The boy had scored an impressive 97%. He was a real estate businessman.
His Wife And Eye Witness Pallavi’s Statement
“It is my bad luck that we came here for a holiday. There were at least 500 tourists on this hill known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ in Pahalgam, and we went uphill on horseback. Once we reached the hilltop, we heard a gunshot and dismissed it as military activity. As my son was hungry, my husband went to a nearby eatery. When I turned to look for my husband, I noticed people running. I took my son along and reached my husband, who was lying in a pool of blood. They had fired a single shot into his head. The terrorist was standing right before me. I told him, ‘Mere pati ko mare ho na, mujhe bhi maaro’ (Since you have killed my husband, go ahead and kill me too).
My son also said, ‘Kutte, mere paapa ko mara hai, hum dono ko bhi maar do’ (Dog! You killed my father. Now kill both of us). The terrorist replied, ‘Tumko nahi maarenge, Modi ko boldo’ (I will not kill you. Go and report to Modi) and then he left,” recalled Pallavi, adding that three locals escorted them to safety and kept chanting ‘Bismillah’ while climbing down the hill on foot.
About Manjunath Rao
Manjunath Rao, 47, his wife Pallavi Rao, and their 18-year-old son Abhijeya had gone to Kashmir on April 19. They were supposed to return to Shivamogga on April 24. The tour was booked through a travel agency. When the shooting happened in the afternoon. Pallavi later called a relative named Deepa in Shivamogga and said they first thought the gunfire was part of a military drill. But just ten minutes later, Pallavi found Manjunath lying dead in a pool of blood.
Pallavi said three local Kashmiri men helped save her and her son while saying, “Bismillah, Bismillah.” She said they felt like brothers to her. Many politicians, like former Deputy CM KS Eshwarappa, MP BY Raghavendra, MLA SN Channabasappa, former MLA KB Prasanna Kumar, and Congress leader HC Yogesh, visited Manjunath’s family.
Last Video Surfaces
Manjunath and Pallavi, recording what would tragically become their last video. Smiling, content, in love. Simple people who wouldn’t harm a fly.
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) April 22, 2025
Islamic terrorists killed Manjunath. Because he was a Hindu. No other reason. Just the religion.
Pallavi begged them to kill her… pic.twitter.com/JorivFaKkm
Manjunath’s mother has not been told about his death yet. The family only told her that he was injured in the attack. Former DCM KS Eshwarappa, MP BY Raghavendra, MLA SN Channabasappa, former MLA KB Prasanna Kumar and Congress leader HC Yogesh visited Manjunath’s family.
“After the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and with increased security and normalcy returning, terrorists are unable to accept the change. That’s why they’re targeting Hindu tourists. They shot them after confirming their identity,” he said. A team of officers from Karnataka will leave for Kashmir soon.
