The Pahalgam zipline operator heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” during the recent terror attack had responded instinctively, India Today reported, quoting sources within the National Investigating Agency. (NIA)
According to NIA sources cited by report, Muzammil, the operator in question, reacted with a spontaneous religious exclamation — comparable to expressions like “Hey Ram” — in response to the sudden sound of gunfire.
“NIA sources said that it is natural to say ‘Allahu Akbar’ in reaction to something shocking or sudden and that it’s the same as Hindus saying ‘Hey Ram’,” the report added.
The incident occurred on April 22, when a deadly terror attack in the tourist town claimed 26 innocent lives.
A video recorded by tourist Rishi Bhatt captured Muzammil chanting “Allah u Akbar” three times moments before the firing began. The clip was quickly picked up section of mainstream media and quickly went went viral on social media.
Following this, he was summoned by the NIA.
While investigators found inconsistencies in Muzammil’s statements — especially regarding why he released Bhatt on the zipline amid the chaos — no evidence has emerged linking him directly to the attack.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, Muzammil’s brother Mukhtar strongly defended his sibling’s innocence, saying he panicked and fled at the first sign of danger.
In a statement to ANI, PDP spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo said, “They don’t understand our culture. Whenever there is a disaster, every Kashmiri says ‘Allahu Akbar.’ It’s a call to God, not a call to arms. Everything is being done to cover up the failures of the system.”
The NIA’s preliminary findings suggest Muzammil’s reaction was a culturally contextual expression of fear rather than any indicator of complicity.
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
