Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pays respects to Pahalgam terror victim Bharat Bhushan; loved ones gather in large numbers

Bengaluru: Sundar Nagar wore a sombre look on Thursday morning, as local residents joined Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other politicians to pay respects to Bharat Bhushan (aged 41 years), one of the 26 killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

The body arrived at Bengaluru airport around 4 am on Thursday, and was received by Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna. An inconsolable Sujatha and her son could be seen walking out. They reached Bhushan’s residence on 4th Cross, Sundar Nagar, around 5.30 am. Bhushan’s mortal remains will be kept for public viewing until 3 pm, following which, the cremation will take place at Hebbal crematorium.

A flood of disheartened and teary residents made their way past the barricades and stringent police arrangements to speak to the family and pray for 41-year-old Bhushan, who was killed on April 22 whilst on a family trip to Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Relatives from different places also arrived on Thursday morning. Manjula, Sujatha’s sister-in-law, who lives in Yelahanka, arrived with her family members from Cuddalore and Hosur, Tamil Nadu, who reached this morning.

State government bringing back 178 Kannadigas stranded in Srinagar

The state government is bringing back 178 Kannadigas who had travelled to Srinagar via a special flight, IndiGo 6E 9198. Labour Minister Santosh Lad will be accompanying them. The flight will depart from Srinagar airport at 8.45 am and land in Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport at 12 pm.

Speaking in Tamil, one of them said that they got to know on Tuesday evening but the confirmation came after we saw Bhushan’s photo on television. “We immediately rushed to Sujatha’s mother's home in SBM Colony, Mathikere, to offer support,” she said.

Politicians Raksha Ramaiah and RR Nagar MLA Munirathna were among others present at the mourning home on Thursday.

“Nobody should experience the grief these families are experiencing. They reportedly pleaded ‘chotta baccha hai, chhod do (there is a small child, leave us) but attackers had no mercy, who asked only one question – read the Kalma. He (Bhushan) didn't know that. He was shot thrice and killed,” said BJP MLC CT Ravi, who arrived on Thursday morning.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pays his respects

Around 8.15 am, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, visited Bhushan’s home and paid his respects to the deceased. Bhushan’s family was inconsolable even as the CM offered his condolences.

Speaking to the media afterwards, CM Siddaramaiah offered his shraddhanjali “on behalf of the state government and 7 crore Kannadigas”. “He died at a young age. He completed his BE and an MBA from SDM College, Mysuru. His father was a retired DDPI officer…This was an inhumane act and I strongly condemn it. Terrorists and terror outfits must not be in our country,” he said.

He urged the Centre to take strict action and “destroy all terrorists”, noting that he offers his full support to this. Referring to Pulwama and Balakot, he once again emphasised that this was an intelligence failure.

“Our government will offer Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased,” he said, adding that he has instructed a team of officials headed by Labour minister Santosh Lad, to bring back Karnataka tourists from Srinagar.