• Source:JND
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Pahalgam Terror Attack: A tourist from Gujarat's Ahmedabad, Rishi Bhatt, is in the news after his video of the ziplining, moment before the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 goes viral on social media. In the video, a zipline operator is seen chanting 'Allahu Akbar' just moments before gunshots. According to media reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned the operator. The video was shot by Bhatt with a selfie camera during the ziplining.

Now, the tourist shared his views about the zipline operator, who fell under the probe lens.

"Firing started when I was ziplining. I did not realise this for around 20 seconds. I suddenly realised that a firing had started and people on the ground are being killed. I saw 5-6 people getting shot. After about 20 seconds, I realised that it was a terrorist attack...He (the zipline operator) said 'Allahu Akbar' thrice, following which the firing started. I found out that men in two families ahead of us were asked about their religion and shot in front of my wife and son," he recounted the horrific incident.

Bhatt recalled his wife and son were screaming after seeing the shooting incident.

"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. When firing halted a little after 8-10 minutes, we started running toward the main gate. The firing started again and 4-5 people were shot. 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us," he aded.

'Allahu Akbar' Thrice And Then The Firing Started: Tourist

"9 people ziplined before me, but the operator did not say anything. 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. Army presence was everywhere in lower areas, even in the forest. But there was no Army officer at the main location. There was Jammu and Kashmir Police as well as three security guards at the main gate," Bhatt recalled.

The tourists further said when they reached the gate, they saw that the local public had already left.

"One pony guide took us away from there, we also soon found the Indian Army personnel before us. They gave cover to all the tourists. Army covered Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes. They gave cover to all the tourists within 18-20 minutes. We felt safe once the Army gave us cover. I am grateful to the Indian Army," he added.

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