The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said that the zipline operator who said ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the Pahalgam attack did it out of shock and not as a part of the attack.
The man, Muzammil, was questioned after a video of him chanting went viral. NIA sources told to media that he was not involved in the April 22 attack that killed 26 people. They said his reaction was similar to how someone might say ‘Hey Ram’ when scared or surprised.
The video was recorded by a tourist, Rishi Bhatt, who said Muzammil shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ three times just before gunshots were heard. Bhatt was the last person to use the zipline before the attack. The video spread quickly online and led to public questions.
Muzammil’s father responded to it when interviewed saying, “I haven’t seen the video. We are Muslims. Even if a storm comes, we say Allahu Akbar.”
The NIA is continuing its investigation into the Pahalgam attack and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
