A Gujarat tourist whose zipline video recorded the horrific Pahalgam terror attack has narrated his firsthand experience, detailing harrowing moments of fear, religious targeting, and survival. Ahmedabad resident Rishi Bhatt was on a family vacation in Kashmir’s Baisaran valley with his wife and 11-year-old son when terrorists randomly opened fire and killed 26 people.
Bhatt’s 53-second zipline clip, which also became viral, captures the instant terror struck in the valley. The video shot mid-air by holding a selfie stick captures the sounds of gunfire, screams, and people running in panic below. One individual collapses to the ground, probably from a bullet hit. Bhatt’s video has become the key piece of evidence now and a graphic witness account to one of the worst terror attacks in the valley.
‘Allahu Akbar’ Shouted Before Firing Began, Says Tourist
In an interview with India Today, Rishi Bhatt made a stunning revelation about the beginning of the attack. According to him, the zipline operator, Muzammil, yelled “Allahu Akbar” three times before the terrorists started firing. Muzammil has since been arrested by the National Investigative Agency (NIA), reports a Times of India report.
“My wife, son, and four others had already zipped over safely,” Bhatt said. “As it was my turn, the operator yelled out ‘Allahu Akbar’ three times—and then the shooting began.”
Losing his head for a moment, Bhatt realized the seriousness of the situation in a matter of seconds. “You can see in my video a man falling down. At that moment, I realised something was wrong,” he said.
Religious Targeting Alleged Amid Carnage
Bhatt’s tale becomes even more unnerving as he relates how the assailants chose their targets.
“Just beside my wife were two couples. The terrorist asked them their names and religion, and then shot them. Just because I was on the ropeway, my life was saved. If I had been on the ground, I don’t know what would have happened,” he said.
He said that the assailants were wearing stolen security forces uniforms. “While running, I saw two security guards shot dead and stripped of their clothes,” claimed Bhatt.
Panic Search for Family Amid Gunfire
Following what he saw in the initial rounds of firing, Bhatt explained that he leaped in mid-air and ran to look for his wife and son. “I was only thinking about saving my life and my family’s life,” he explained.
They took refuge in a nearby grove along with other tourists as firing went on. “When the firing paused after 8–10 minutes, we started running toward the main gate. Then the firing started again, and 4–5 people were shot. Around 15–16 tourists were shot in front of us,” he added.
#WATCH | #PahalgamTerroristAttack | In a viral video, a tourist was seen ziplining when terrorists suddenly started firing. The tourist from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, Rishi Bhatt, recalls the incident.
“…Firing started when I was ziplining…I did not realise this for around 20… pic.twitter.com/TzauoM7kUe
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
Army Response and Local Reaction
Bhatt added that the Army reached them within 18 minutes and evacuated the trapped persons. He criticized the local reaction to the attack as well. “The locals were the first to flee. There was nobody to assist,” he said. “My wife witnessed the terrorists firing from merely six feet away.”
Bhatt’s account, combined with the viral clip, highlights the ferocity of the attack and has also questioned security, local participation, and the nature of the assault.
