Viral zipline video captures chilling moments of Pahalgam terror attack, Gujarat tourist suspects operator’s intent

A chilling video from a zipline ride in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam has gone viral on social media, capturing the moments just before a deadly terror attack that shook the region. The video was shot by Rishi Bhatt, a tourist from Gujarat, who was vacationing in Baisaran with his wife and son when the violence unfolded.

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In the now-viral video, Bhatt is seen ziplining across a scenic stretch, but what caught everyone’s attention was the voice of the zipline operator who allegedly chanted “Allahu Akbar” thrice just before releasing Bhatt. Moments later, gunfire erupted, turning the peaceful tourist spot into a scene of panic and bloodshed.

Speaking to ANI, Bhatt recounted the horror that ensued. “Nine people ziplined before me, but the operator didn’t say a word. When I was sliding, he said ‘Allahu Akbar’ three times, and suddenly the firing started. I have my suspicions about that man,” Bhatt claimed, noting the timing of the chant raised concerns in his mind.

Bhatt described the terrifying scenes he witnessed — from people being shot to tourists scrambling for safety. “I saw five to six people getting shot. I immediately unlatched my belt, jumped down, and ran to grab my wife and son. We saw a pit nearby where people were hiding, and we hid there too,” he said.

He added that terrorists appeared to be targeting specific individuals. “I found out that men in two families ahead of us were asked their religion and shot in front of my wife and son. My family was screaming,” Bhatt said, still shaken by the trauma.

According to Bhatt, the initial burst of firing lasted around 8-10 minutes. After a brief pause, the terrorists resumed shooting, injuring and killing more tourists. “15-16 tourists were shot right in front of us,” he claimed.

Bhatt expressed his gratitude to the Indian Army, which he said arrived on the scene within 20-25 minutes and provided immediate cover to the tourists. “They gave cover within 18-20 minutes. Only after that did we feel somewhat safe,” he said.

The attack in Pahalgam is being described as one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack. As investigations continue, Bhatt’s video and eyewitness account have added a disturbing layer to the ongoing probe, raising questions about whether there was a local link to the attack.