A local cameraman, who shot reels for tourists in Baisaran, has emerged as a key witness for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its probe into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, News18 has found.

The whole attack was recorded by the videographer as it happened, according to officials. “This local photographer fled for his life when firing started and sat on a tree to save himself from bullets. But he continued videographing the incident as it was happening and captured the whole terror attack,” a top government official explained to CNN-News18.

Sequence of Events

Preliminary investigations indicate that four terrorists divided into two groups and opened fire from both sides of the meadow. The eyewitnesses report two gunmen standing near refreshment stalls selling snacks.

“Around 2:30 pm, two terrorists who were hiding behind the shops came out. They initially inquired from the non-locals having snacks there as to what religion they belonged to. Some were asked to recite the kalma; the rest who were unable to do so were shot dead,” said an officer.

The NIA now thinks the attack was not random, as had been suspected. “They specifically targeted the head of every identified victim,” officials said.

As panic erupted, witnesses explained how the initial two terrorists shot four tourists in the head. The remaining two terrorists came out of the zip line sector and began firing at the fleeing masses.

Phones Seized

The terrorists allegedly stole two mobile phones, one belonging to a tourist and the other a local. Officials are monitoring the phones, hoping they could yield important information about the terrorists’ whereabouts or activities now. Sources, however, confirmed that the phones have been deactivated since then.

The NIA has also seized spent cartridges from AK-47 and M4 rifles. “M4s have been used by Pakistani terrorists since the Afghan war ended, and it is additional evidence of who is behind this,” an official from the intelligence agency said.

#BreakingNews | CNN Exclusive: Massive Manhunt Launched for Absconding Adil in Pahalgam Attack; Links to LeT Uncovered

Exclusive Input: @manojkumargupta @Ieshan_W shares details@kritsween| #PahalgamAttack pic.twitter.com/K6T7xfO4OE

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 27, 2025

Local Terrorist Identified

Police believe that one of the four terrorists, Adil Thokar, was a local recruit. As per the JK police dossier, Thokar had been radicalized and recruited by Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018. He had crossed over to Pakistan with legal documents, where he went on to join Lashkar-e-Taiba after quitting Hizbul Mujahideen.

After being trained by Lashkar, Thokar is said to have come back into the Valley in 2024. He is accused of having since provided Pakistani terrorists with logistical support and acted as a guide in other terror strikes.