'Zipline Operator Was Chanting..': Tourist Who Captured Pahalgam Terror Attack Shares Shocking Details

A shocking video has surfaced showing a tourist on a zipline ride in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, unknowingly recording the deadliest terror attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The attack, which took place last week, left 26 civilians dead.

The 53-second viral video shows Rushi Bhatt, a tourist from Ahmedabad, wearing a blue checked shirt, sunglasses, and a helmet, recording his zipline ride with a selfie stick. In the background, gunshots can be clearly heard. While Bhatt smiles, unaware of the chaos below, tourists on the ground are seen running for cover.

As the zipline ends and Bhatt nears the ground, a person is seen collapsing presumably hit by a bullet.

In an exclusive interview with Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami , Bhatt recounted the terrifying turn of events. "I unhooked myself and jumped," he said. “I took my wife and son and ran. We hide in a pit where some others had taken shelter. After 8–10 minutes of non-stop firing, we made a run for the main gate. On the way, we saw 15–16 tourists being shot in front of us. A pony guide eventually helped us escape.”

Bhatt revealed that the zipline operator who was present behind him during the ride has since been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). “He kept chanting ‘Allah-u Akbar’ multiple times,” Bhatt told. “It was around 2 PM. There were other families with us, taking turns on the ride. I only realised the seriousness of the situation when I saw people being shot below and my wife screamed for me.”

He added, “I stopped myself mid-ride, unhooked from the zipline, and jumped down to avoid landing in the firing zone. I didn’t see any local person that time at the site”

The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 22, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM in Jammu and Kashmir's popular tourist destination. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, is one of the deadliest incidents in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing.

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The Resistance Front, a proxy group of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the assault. The attack took place near a zipline adventure site, catching tourists off guard as they were enjoying the ride.

In the wake of this deadly attack, the Indian government has taken several strong actions. Diplomatic relations with Pakistan have been downgraded, including the recall of India's envoy and the expulsion of Pakistan’s high commissioner. Furthermore, India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters between the two countries, and revoked visa services for Pakistani nationals. Security measures in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in tourist areas, have been significantly enhanced, with increased troop deployment and surveillance.

One of the most recent steps taken by the Indian government is the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a move that highlights the seriousness of India's response to the attack.

India has condemned the attack on international platforms, urging the global community to take stronger actions against Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. Additionally, India has ramped up its counter-terrorism operations along the border with Pakistan, while Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian airlines.

Read Also: Pahalgam Zip-Line Footage Shows Unaware Tourist Filming During Terror Attack