Kochi, Apr 23 (UNI) A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker from Kerala hailing from Edapally in Kochi was also gunned down in front of his daughter and grandsons in the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old N Ramachandran was among the 26 tourists killed by terrorists at the popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.

N Ramachandran, a former RSS Mukhya-Shikshak of Devankulgara Sakha, also contested as a BJP candidate for the District Council Election in 1991, his family member told UNI on Wednesday.

"The killing was religiously motivated. The terrorists asked his "name" and shot him after identifying him as Hindu. The terrorists also forced the victims to remove their clothes to check whether they have performed circumcision (sunnath). After the religious identification, a driver of their group was allowed to escape," he disclosed.

Ramachandran was accompanied by his daughter, Arathi, and two grandsons for sightseeing, while his wife, Sheela, who has undergone angioplasty, chose to stay back.

The terrorists opened fire at about 26 tourists including 2 foreigners who were enjoying a walk on the scenic Baisaran meadow on Tuesday afternoon.

Ramachandran’s body was shifted to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. His son, Aravind Menon left for Srinagar from Bengaluru. His body will be brought back to his house at Edappally after completing the necessary formalities.

UNI DS GNK