Zipline Turns to Chaos as Ahmedabad Tourist Captures Terror Attack in Pahalgam

What was meant to be a joyful adventure for an Ahmedabad family turned into a terrifying brush with death, as a zipline ride in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam unintentionally captured the harrowing moments of a deadly terror attack.

Rishi Bhatt, an event manager from Ahmedabad, was visiting Baisaran Valley with his wife and child on April 22 when the unexpected unfolded. The family had planned a zipline ride to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region, but what Rishi recorded on his phone became chilling evidence of a violent assault that claimed the lives of 26 people.

The 53-second video, shot with a selfie stick, shows Bhatt gliding down the zipline while chaos breaks out below. People can be seen fleeing, and one individual collapses—believed to be a victim of the gunfire. Unaware at first, Bhatt soon realized he was witnessing a brutal attack in real-time.

He recounted that while his wife and child completed the ride safely, the first shots rang out just as he began his descent. Upon landing, he witnessed a horrifying scene—someone being questioned about their religion and then shot. In a panic, Bhatt unstrapped himself from the zipline and bolted toward safety with his family. They found temporary refuge in a blind spot with a few others before making their escape.

According to Bhatt, the attackers appeared to be positioned both on the ground and hidden in surrounding bushes. He estimated there were four to five assailants, firing relentlessly from multiple directions.

In a startling claim, Bhatt also recalled that the zipline operator had sent nine riders before him and uttered “Allah hu Akbar” moments before the firing began. While the full context of that moment remains unclear, it raised suspicion in hindsight as the attack followed seconds later.

He expressed concern over the lack of immediate military presence, although he noted that the Army swiftly secured the area and evacuated tourists within 20 minutes of the attack.

Bhatt’s video, now widely circulated, stands as a grim reminder of how quickly a peaceful day can turn tragic in regions shadowed by conflict.