Innocent Adventure Turns to Horror in Pahalgam, India
What began as a family vacation thrill ride turned into a nightmare of bloodshed and terror when Indian tourist Rishi Bhatt accidentally captured video of a brutal terrorist massacre while ziplining in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22.
Bhatt, from Ahmedabad, was midair, smiling for the camera, completely unaware that 26 people were being gunned down below him in one of the deadliest recent attacks on civilians in Kashmir.
Suspicious Behavior Preceded the Slaughter
Speaking to ANI News, Bhatt recounted chilling details that suggest the attack may have been premeditated—and possibly assisted from within. According to Bhatt, the zipline operator shouted “Allahu Akbar” three times just moments before the gunfire erupted.
“Nine people ziplined before me, but the operator did not utter a word,” Bhatt said. “When I was sliding, he spoke—and then the firing started.”
The timing of the phrase, traditionally a religious exclamation, immediately preceding the violence, has raised concerns of inside coordination, especially given that the operator was never seen again after the attack.
A Targeted Massacre
After completing the zipline, Bhatt rushed to safety with his wife and son, who had been waiting below. What he witnessed was nothing short of a religiously motivated execution.
“They were asking people their religion before shooting them,” Bhatt said. “Two families ahead of us were questioned, and the men were shot right in front of my wife and son.”
Screams filled the air as the assailants fired indiscriminately into the crowd of mostly domestic tourists. Bhatt recalled watching 15 to 16 people shot in cold blood, as survivors scrambled to hide in a nearby pit-like depression in the ground.
Delayed Rescue and Aftermath
According to Bhatt, the initial burst of firing lasted under ten minutes, before temporarily halting. The terrorists resumed firing soon after, killing several more. The Indian Army arrived approximately 20 minutes later, finally offering cover for survivors to escape.
“By the time we reached the gate, the locals had all disappeared,” Bhatt added, suggesting possible foreknowledge or local cooperation.
Kashmir on Edge
The attack is being viewed as a deliberate assault on Hindu tourists, and has once again shattered the illusion of peace in Kashmir, which remains a hotbed for Islamist insurgency and cross-border militancy.
No terror group has formally claimed responsibility yet, but Indian intelligence agencies are investigating ties to Pakistan-backed operatives. The zipline operator’s actions are also under review amid fears of sleeper cell infiltration in tourism services.
A Nation Demands Answers
The viral footage and Bhatt’s harrowing testimony have ignited public outrage, with calls growing louder for a sweeping investigation, massive counter-terror operations, and strict vetting of civilian contractors in tourist hotspots.
What was supposed to be a peaceful afternoon in nature turned into a chilling glimpse of religiously driven hate and terrorism—a reminder that in some corners of the world, even the sky isn’t safe.
