Pahalgam Terror Attack Survivor Recalls Horror: "Firing Began While I Was Ziplining"

By A Staff Reporter

Pahalgam, J&K: In a chilling account of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Rishi Bhatt, a tourist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shared his terrifying experience of surviving a brutal ambush while ziplining with his family. The attack, which shocked the region, left several tourists dead and many others injured.

"...Firing started when I was ziplining...I did not realise this for around 20 seconds," Bhatt said in a viral video recounting the incident. "I suddenly realised that a firing had started and people on the ground were being killed. I saw 5-6 people getting shot."

Bhatt detailed how, during his zipline descent, the operator reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" three times, moments before gunfire erupted. This raised his suspicions about the operator’s possible involvement. "Nine people ziplined before me, but the operator did not say anything. When I was sliding, he spoke and then the firing started," Bhatt added.

As the chaos unfolded, Bhatt described witnessing militants asking two families about their religion before shooting the men in front of their wives and children. In a desperate attempt to save his own family, Bhatt quickly unlatched his safety belt, jumped down, and fled with his wife and son, hiding in a pit along with other terrified tourists.

"When the firing halted slightly after 8-10 minutes, we ran toward the main gate," Bhatt recounted. However, firing resumed, and he witnessed more people being gunned down. "15-16 tourists were shot in front of us," he said.

Bhatt praised the Indian Army for their rapid and courageous response. "The Army covered Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes. We felt safe once they arrived. They gave cover to all the tourists within 18-20 minutes. I am grateful to the Indian Army," he stated.

He also mentioned that while Army presence was strong in lower forested areas, there was no Army personnel at the main location where the attack occurred — only Jammu & Kashmir Police officers and a few private security guards were posted at the gate.

The incident has raised serious concerns about security measures at tourist spots and the potential involvement of insiders in terror attacks. Investigations are currently underway as authorities piece together the sequence of events and scrutinize the actions of those present during the tragedy.