Pahalgam attack: Bengaluru techie identified himself as Muslim, told to recite from Quran and strip before being shot

BENGALURU: It was meant to be a short summer getaway but instead turned into a nightmare. Madhusudhan Rao left Bengaluru Sunday with his wife, daughter and son. By Tuesday evening, news of his death in the terror attack in Pahalgam reached his stunned neighbours in Riches Garden Layout, Bengaluru.
“He said he’d be back Friday,” said Babu Venu, a neighbour and friend of 15 years. “He didn’t tell us where he was going. It was just summer holidays… None of us imagined this.”

Rao, a software engineer with IBM, was shot dead by terrorists who boarded the bus he was travelling in with his wife Kamakshi Prasanna, daughter Medhasree, son Sridatta.
Police said the attackers asked him his name and religion. When he responded “Muslim,” they asked him to read from the Quran. He said he’d forgotten. They then asked him to strip. He refused and was shot.
Originally from Kavali in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Rao lived in Riches Layout, Rammurthynagar, for over a decade. His wife works with an IT company. Their two children are aged 17 and 12.
“He was a gem,” said Venu. “Jovial, honest. He never spoke badly about anyone. He was someone you wouldn’t see unhappy.”
Residents are planning a candlelight vigil and walk in his honour on Thursday. “We were saddened when we heard the news,” said Malthesh of the Riches Garden Welfare and Cultural Association.
“We learnt from Babu about the incident (who in turn found out about it from the media). Madhusudhan was active in our community—always involved in Ganeshotsava and Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations.”
Rao’s body was being taken to his hometown. Ten people from Rao’s neighbourhood also left for Nellore. “We’re a small, closeknit community here,” said Venu. “It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”