Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India]: A tourist from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, Rishi Bhatt, who narrowly survived the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, has alleged suspicious behavior by a zipline operator moments before the shooting began.
The terror attack took place on April 22 at the popular Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, where terrorists opened fire on tourists, killing 26 people — 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen — and injuring several others.
Bhatt, whose video of him ziplining during the gunfire has gone viral, recounted the chilling moments in a conversation with media. He claimed the zipline operator shouted “Allahu Akbar” three times before the attack commenced.
“Nine people ziplined before me, but the operator did not utter a word. When I was sliding, he spoke, and then the firing started. So, I have my suspicions about that man,” Bhatt alleged, describing the operator as a “regular Kashmiri.”
Bhatt recalled that the firing began while he was mid-air on the zipline, with gunshots ringing out in the background of his now-viral video.
“After about 20 seconds, I realised it was a terrorist attack… I saw 5-6 people getting shot,” he said.
In a desperate bid to save his family, Bhatt quickly unlatched himself from the zipline, grabbed his wife and son, and ran to safety.
“We found a pit-like area where people were hiding. We hid there too,” he recounted.
Bhatt further claimed that the terrorists specifically targeted individuals after questioning their religion.
“Men in two families ahead of us were asked their religion and shot dead in front of my wife and son. My wife and son were screaming,” he said.
The firing reportedly lasted for 8-10 minutes before a brief pause and then resumed, resulting in more casualties.
“15-16 tourists were shot in front of us,” Bhatt recalled grimly.
Bhatt also noted that by the time they reached the entrance gate, the local residents had already fled the area.
He praised the Indian Army for its swift response, stating:
“The Army reached Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes and gave cover to tourists within 18-20 minutes. We felt safe once the Army arrived. I am grateful to the Indian Army.”
Background and Aftermath:
The Pahalgam attack is among the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
In response, the Indian government has announced a series of strong measures:
- Holding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
- Closing the Attari Integrated Check Post.
- Revoking all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except for long-term, diplomatic, and official visas, effective from April 27.
The Centre has vowed that the perpetrators and conspirators behind the Pahalgam attack will face severe punishment.