Tourist accidentally filmed terrorist attack in Kashmir while ziplining

A tourist who was on a zipline ride during a trip to Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last week inadvertently filmed the terrorist attack that left 26 civilians dead, according to a new video that has emerged on social media.

In the 53-second video that has gone viral, the tourist - a man in a blue checked shirt, sunglasses and a helmet as safety equipment - can be seen recording the trip using a selfie stick, even as gunshots can be heard in the background, the Telegraph reports.

Unaware of the terrorist attack, the man – later identified as Rishi Bhatt from Ahmedabad – enjoys his journey with a smile, while the tourists left on the ground run in a hurry.

As the zipline ride ends and the man approaches the ground, another tourist is seen falling, apparently after receiving a gunshot wound.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Bhatt recalled how he unbuckled his seatbelt the moment he realised about the shooting.

“I took my wife and son and started running. We saw people hiding in a place that was like a pit, so they couldn’t be easily seen. We hid there too. When the shooting stopped after about 8-10 minutes, we started running towards the main gate. The shooting started again and four to five people were shot. About 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us. When we reached the gate, we saw that the locals had already left. A guide on a pony helped us leave the place,” he said.

"The army was present in the lower areas. There were no army officials at the main location," he added.

Earlier in the day, another video emerged of tourists running and hiding behind a kiosk. The sound of gunfire can be heard in the distance.

Another video shows bodies scattered across the grass, with bursts of gunfire echoing in the background.

Twenty-five tourists – 24 Indians and one Nepali citizen – and a local man were killed in the terrorist attack at Baisaran – dubbed “mini Switzerland” because of its meadow – in Pahalgam on April 22.

An Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau personnel were also among those killed.

This was the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama attack in 2019.

The Resistance Front, a front group of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility.

Following the attack, India downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan and announced a series of measures, including suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and revoking visa services for Pakistani nationals.

In retaliation, Pakistan also announced a series of measures, including closing its airspace to Indian airlines.

Islamabad also said that any action to divert water destined for it under the pact would be considered an "Act of War." /Telegraph

Tourist accidentally captures terror attack mid-zip line ride in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/tcRCJNG58A

- Clash Report (@clashreport) April 28, 2025