PAHALGAM, India (Diya TV) — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained a zipline operator for questioning after a tourist video captured him chanting “Allahu Akbar” moments before a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities confirmed.
The operator, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed, was heard saying “Allahu Akbar” three times before sending a tourist on a ride in the Baisaran meadow, according to a video shared by CNN-News18. Shortly after, terrorists opened fire on crowds, killing 26 people, mostly vacationers from other Indian states.
Rishi Bhatt, the tourist seen on the zipline in the viral video, told CNN-News18 that he narrowly escaped the shooting because he was mid-air when the attack began. “When I took the zipline, one person said ‘Allahu Akbar’ and moved his head left and right, and then the firing started from those sides,” Bhatt said in an exclusive interview.
The 53-second clip, which has circulated widely on social media, initially shows a normal scene with the zipline operator preparing Bhatt for the ride. As the ride progresses, gunshots can be heard in the background, and tourists on the ground are seen frantically running for cover. One tourist fell while trying to flee, the video shows.
India Today, citing Bhatt, reported that the operator’s chant and suspicious behavior raised immediate concerns, prompting authorities to take swift action. Within minutes of Bhatt’s televised interview, the NIA moved in to pick up the operator for questioning.
Tourists had crowded Baisaran meadow on April 22, a popular destination known for its stunning vistas, when terrorists attacked. The incident marked one of the deadliest strikes on civilians in Kashmir in recent years.
Investigators are now reviewing several videos recorded by tourists around the time of the attack to piece together a clearer timeline of events. Authorities are probing whether the operator had any links to the attackers or if his actions were coincidental and unrelated.
Security forces have since intensified operations in the region, and the NIA is spearheading the broader investigation into the attack, seeking to uncover any potential network behind the assault.
Meanwhile, tourism officials are grappling with the fallout as Pahalgam, a major draw for travelers, faces heightened security scrutiny. Officials have urged tourists to remain vigilant but emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure their safety.
The NIA and Jammu and Kashmir Police have yet to officially comment on whether the detained operator will face charges. As the investigation unfolds, the nation continues to mourn the victims of the attack, with leaders across political lines condemning the violence and calling for peace in the troubled region.
