Zipline operator's ‘Allahu Akbar’ chant and gunshots: Tourist's Pahalgam video goes viral

A video shot by a tourist in Pahalgam, appearing to have captured the moment the April 22 terrorist attack broke out, has gone viral on social media, showing the man capturing himself ziplining and the zipline operator saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ thrice.

The tourist recounted the terrifying moments of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, describing how he and his family narrowly escaped after witnessing gunfire from terrorists while he was ziplining.

The terrorist attack at the popular tourist destination Baisaran meadow — often dubbed "mini-Switzerland" in Jammu and Kashmir — claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists.

What's in the video?

As the tourist, identified as Rishi Bhatt, begins ziplining, the operator chants “Allahhu Akbar” three times before releasing him. Bhatt can be seen smiling and enjoying the ride, but in the background, gunshot-like sound can be heard, while tourists on the ground can be seen starting to scatter. The video ends as Bhatt realises what’s happening and begins to panic.

Bhatt recalled that before he took the zipline, his wife, son, and four other people had already crossed.

“When they were there, this person did not say 'Allahhu Akbar.' But when I was on the zipline, he said it thrice, and then the firing started.”

Hindustan Times could not independently verify the video.

The Pahalgam incident stands as one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. On April 22, terrorists opened fire in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing 26. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the assault.

Follow live updates on Pahalgam terror attack

In retaliation, India took a series of tough actions against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and ordering Pakistani citizens to leave within a set deadline. The attack has sparked large-scale protests by Indian communities worldwide, accompanied by intense criticism of Pakistan

When did he realise the firing had started?

Rishi Bhatt, speaking to ANI, described the attack, saying, “...Firing started when I was ziplining...I did not realise this for around 20 seconds...I suddenly realised that a firing has started and people on the ground are being killed. I saw 5-6 people getting shot.”

He further explained, “After about 20 seconds, I realised that it was a terrorist attack...He (the zipline operator) said 'Allahu Akbar' thrice, following which the firing started. 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 wife and son were screaming. I unlatched my belt and jumped down, took my wife and son and started running away. We saw people hiding at a spot which was like a pit, so you could not spot someone easily there. We too hid there.”

Bhatt said, “When firing halted a little after 8-10 minutes, we started running toward the main gate...The firing started again and 4-5 people were shot. 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us. When we reached the gate, we saw that the local public had already left. One pony guide took us away from there, we also soon found the Indian Army personnel before us. They gave cover to all the tourists...Army covered Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes. They gave cover to all the tourists within 18-20 minutes...We felt safe once the Army gave us cover...I am grateful to the Indian Army.”

He also mentioned, “9 people ziplined before me, but the operator did not say anything. When I was sliding, he spoke and then the firing started. So, I have my suspicions about that man. He said 'Allahu Akbar' thrice and then the firing started...He looked like a regular Kashmiri...Army presence was everywhere in lower areas, even in the forest. But there was no Army officer at the main location. There was Jammu & Kashmir Police as well as three security guards at the main gate...”