NEW DELHI: A tourist, Rishi Bhatt , unintentionally captured footage of the Pahalgam terror attack while ziplining in Jammu and Kashmir.
The video which Rishi Bhatt shot has spread widely across social media.
Who is Rishi Bhatt
Rishi Bhatt is a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He was holidaying in Kashmir with his wife and son.
On April 22, Bhatt and his family visited the Baisaran meadow located in Pahalgam when the terrorist incident occurred.
In the footage, Bhatt appears to be having a pleasant time during the ride, while gunshots are audible in the background.
Bhatt also said that the Army reached Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes.
Here is what Rishi Bhatt said in his interview
Talking to ANI in Ahmedabad about his viral video, Bhatt said he had a "suspicion" about the "Kashmiri" zipline operator who shouted 'Allahu Akbar' thrice, and the firing started.
"9 people ziplined before me, but the operator did not utter a word. When I was sliding, he spoke, and then the firing started. So, I have my suspicions about that man. He said 'Allahu Akbar' thrice and then the firing started...He looked like a regular Kashmiri," Bhatt claimed.
"Firing started when I was ziplining. After about 20 seconds, I realised that it was a terrorist attack...and people on the ground are being killed," Bhatt told ANI while recalling the incident. "I saw 5-6 people getting shot."
After that, he detached himself from the zipline and fled with his family." I unlatched my belt and jumped down, took my wife and son and started running away. We saw people hiding at a spot which was like a pit, so you could not spot someone easily there. We too hid there," he added.
He further claimed that the attackers targeted individuals based on their identity.
"I found out that men in two families ahead of us were asked their religion and shot in front of my wife and son. My wife and son were screaming," Bhatt said.
According to Bhatt, the firing lasted for 8-10 minutes before a brief pause, after which it resumed.
"The firing started again and 4-5 people were shot. 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us," he said."When we reached the gate, we saw that the local public had already left," Bhatt added.
Pahalgam attack
The terrorist strike at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22 resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, whilst leaving multiple people wounded.
This incident stands as one of the most severe attacks in the area since the 2019 Pulwama assault, which resulted in the loss of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.
Following this occurrence, the Central government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan demonstrates a genuine and permanent cessation of support for cross-border terrorism.
Additionally, they have shut down the integrated Attari check post. Furthermore, effective April 27, the government has cancelled all visa categories for Pakistani nationals, with exceptions made for long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas.
The video which Rishi Bhatt shot has spread widely across social media.
Who is Rishi Bhatt
Rishi Bhatt is a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He was holidaying in Kashmir with his wife and son.
On April 22, Bhatt and his family visited the Baisaran meadow located in Pahalgam when the terrorist incident occurred.
In the footage, Bhatt appears to be having a pleasant time during the ride, while gunshots are audible in the background.
Bhatt also said that the Army reached Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes.
#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.
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025
"...Firing started when I was ziplining...I did not realise this for around 20… pic.twitter.com/TzauoM7kUe
Here is what Rishi Bhatt said in his interview
Talking to ANI in Ahmedabad about his viral video, Bhatt said he had a "suspicion" about the "Kashmiri" zipline operator who shouted 'Allahu Akbar' thrice, and the firing started.
"9 people ziplined before me, but the operator did not utter a word. When I was sliding, he spoke, and then the firing started. So, I have my suspicions about that man. He said 'Allahu Akbar' thrice and then the firing started...He looked like a regular Kashmiri," Bhatt claimed.
"Firing started when I was ziplining. After about 20 seconds, I realised that it was a terrorist attack...and people on the ground are being killed," Bhatt told ANI while recalling the incident. "I saw 5-6 people getting shot."
After that, he detached himself from the zipline and fled with his family." I unlatched my belt and jumped down, took my wife and son and started running away. We saw people hiding at a spot which was like a pit, so you could not spot someone easily there. We too hid there," he added.
He further claimed that the attackers targeted individuals based on their identity.
"I found out that men in two families ahead of us were asked their religion and shot in front of my wife and son. My wife and son were screaming," Bhatt said.
According to Bhatt, the firing lasted for 8-10 minutes before a brief pause, after which it resumed.
"The firing started again and 4-5 people were shot. 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us," he said."When we reached the gate, we saw that the local public had already left," Bhatt added.
Pahalgam attack
The terrorist strike at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22 resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, whilst leaving multiple people wounded.
This incident stands as one of the most severe attacks in the area since the 2019 Pulwama assault, which resulted in the loss of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.
Following this occurrence, the Central government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan demonstrates a genuine and permanent cessation of support for cross-border terrorism.
Additionally, they have shut down the integrated Attari check post. Furthermore, effective April 27, the government has cancelled all visa categories for Pakistani nationals, with exceptions made for long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas.
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