Kashmir, April 29: The National Investigation Agency that is probing the Pahalgam terror attack, on Tuesday ruled out the Zipline operator’s connivance in the bid, who reportedly chanted ‘Allaha Hu Akbar’ repeatedly for four times as the shoot at the site began.
Based on a visitor’s video that went viral that featured , someone was enjoying a swing on the zipline at the mishap while zipline operator uttered the religious verses, the NIA sleuths took sou motu cognizance on the matter, and had initiated a probe into it.
Subsequently, the sleuths interrogated zipline driver identified as Muzammil and the tourist Rishi Bhatt in this connection. During investigation it was revealed that the zipline operator had no hand in the terror attack. Being a man of certain religion, he as such uttered Allahahu Akbar’, said the findings of the sleuths.
This raised suspicions and drew widespread attention, prompting the NIA to take note as part of its ongoing investigation into the brutal attack that claimed 26 lives, 27 tourists and a horse driver.
Sources said the zipline operator was summoned to provide clarity on his role and the events leading up to the incident. Officials are reportedly examining whether the chant was a routine expression or had any link to the attack.
Rishi Bhatt, a tourist from Ahmedabad, who had recorded a video while ziplining, can be seen enjoying the ride, while the sound of gunfire can be heard in the background.
According to Bhatt who was enjoying a ride a few feet high from the meadows, not being aware of the gunfire,"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 media while recalling the incident. "I saw 5-6 people getting shot one after the other"
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.
