Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, in a viral video, was heard instructing assailants of slain Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prakash to be "killed mercilessly".

However, the Chief Minister clarified that the statement was made in the spur of the moment and was not an order passed by him as chief minister.

In a video that went viral on social media, Kumaraswamy was heard saying, "He (Prakash) was a good man. I do not know why they killed him. Shoot them (killers) mercilessly, no problem."

#WATCH Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy caught on cam telling someone on the phone 'He(murdered JDS leader Prakash) was a good man, I don't know why did they murder him. Kill them (assailants) mercilessly in a shootout, no problem. (24.12.18) pic.twitter.com/j42dqiRs0a

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018

Clarifying the statement, the Chief Minister asserted, "It (kill assailants mercilessly) was not my order, I was emotional at that moment. They (killers)are the reason for two murders and they were in jail. They came out on bail two days ago and killed another person. This is how they are misusing bail."

Prakash was allegedly murdered by unidentified assailants while he was travelling in his car in Maddur.

Kumaraswamy has ordered a probe into the incident and instructed the police to take all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents are not recurring.