A viral video shot by Ahmedabad tourist Rishi Bhatt during a zipline ride in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has inadvertently captured the chilling moments of the April 22 terror attack that left 26 people dead. Bhatt, who was vacationing with his family, began filming the ride for fun, unaware of the chaos about to unfold. As the video starts, Bhatt can be seen smiling and enjoying the picturesque Baisaran meadow, often called “mini-Switzerland,” while the zipline operator chants “Allahu Akbar” three times before releasing him. Seconds later, the sound of gunfire erupts in the background, and people on the ground are seen running and falling.

Initially, Bhatt did not realize what was happening, but as the frequency of gunshots increased and he saw several people collapsing, the gravity of the situation became clear. He recounted that his wife and son, who had already completed their rides, began shouting at him as panic spread among tourists. Bhatt quickly unlatched his harness before reaching the end of the zipline, grabbed his family, and sought cover with other tourists in a pit-like area, hiding until the firing subsided. He described seeing people being shot and bodies lying on the ground, a scene that left the family traumatized.

The video, which surfaced on social media days later, has sparked intense scrutiny, particularly over the zipline operator’s chant coinciding with the start of the attack. Bhatt claimed that the operator, identified as Muzammil, had not chanted for previous riders, raising suspicions about his possible involvement. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has since detained Muzammil for questioning, although his family insists he is innocent and fled the scene in fear as soon as the shooting started. The incident has ignited widespread debate and led to calls for a thorough investigation.

In the aftermath, Bhatt and his family left Pahalgam immediately, cutting short their holiday and returning to Ahmedabad. He shared the video with a defense officer, who later permitted its release to the media. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front-a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba-has prompted strong diplomatic actions by India and worldwide protests against Pakistan, highlighting the persistent threat of terrorism in the region.