‘Allahu Akbar Not A War Cry’: Pahalgam Zipline Operator’s Father As Viral Video Comes Under NIA Lens

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:April 29, 2025, 21:03 IST

Muzammil, a zipline operator, is questioned by the NIA for his alleged role in the Pahalgam terror attack after a video of him chanting “Allahu Akbar” went viral

“Allahu Akbar” is not a war cry, the father of a zipline operator heard chanting the phrase in a viral video said on Tuesday, amid intense speculation over his son’s motive that has triggered a probe. He said his son, Muzammil, had done nothing wrong and was at the crime site—Baisaran Valley—to earn his living.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials are questioning the zipline operator after the allegations that he chanted “Allahu Akbar” only seconds before firing began while sending a tourist down the zipline, towards the direction of gunfire. He was taken for questioning on Monday, hours after the video went viral.

NIA sources said it was too early to comment on if the zipline operator had any role in the attack. As per sources, the operator said he did not know of the presence of terrorists in the valley.

The viral video was shot by a tourist from Gujarat using a selfie stick over Baisaran Valley, where terrorists killed 26 men—mostly Hindus—as well as a Nepalese citizen and a local pony operator on April 22 afternoon, a brazen attack that has sent shockwaves across the nation, drawn global condemnation, and fuelled India-Pakistan tensions.

The video unknowingly captured tourists running for cover amidst gunfire and at least one body lying on the ground. It was in the beginning of this video that Muzammil was heard chanting the phrase before sending the tourist, Rishi Bhatt, down the zipline.

The anti-terror agency picked Muzammil after a tourist, Rishi Bhatt, shared a video where the zipline operator was heard saying “Allahu Akbar” before the massacre unfolded in Bainsaran meadow on April 22. Bhatt, in an interview with CNN-News18 on Monday, raised suspicion on the role of the zipline operator, saying Muzammil said “Allahu Akbar” just seconds before terrorists opened the fire.

Zipline operator’s father Abdul Aziz, meanwhile, defended his son and said he has done nothing wrong and “Allahu Akbar” is not a “war cry”. “I have not watched the video… We are Muslims, even if the storm comes we say ‘Allahu Akbar’,” he said.

Aziz further said since tourists were going, his son wanted to wish them well. “He is honestly trying to earn his bread and butter,” he added.

Rishi Bhatt, the tourist who recorded the video on zipline said, “When I took the zipline, one person said Allahu Akbar and moved his head left and right and then the firing started from those sides.”

Meanwhile, National Conference leader Imran Nabi Dar also came to the zipline operator’s defence, saying it is natural that whenever a catastrophe takes place in front of a person, he remembers the almighty. “Since the operator was a Muslim, he remembered Allah…This is a natural process. I just want to request that the investigative agencies should not target the innocent,” he said.

Peoples Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone said, “We are on the front line. Those sitting in TV studios are doing exactly the same what the terrorists want… NIA is an investigative agency. I saw the video (ziplining). We say ‘Allahu Akbar, Allah Na Kare’ on daily bases. I didn’t see such things, but NIA will decide what that is. If he turns out to be innocent, then we owe an apology.”

What Does ‘Allahu Akbar’ Mean? Understanding Its Usage, Cultural Significance In Islam

Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said “Allahu Akbar” means “God is great” a phrase that reflects faith, just like people of other religions have their own ways of expressing devotion. T”o vilify such expressions is not only ignorant, but also a sign of being devoid of values,” he said.

PDP Spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo echoed similar views and said, “They don’t know anything about our culture. Whenever there is a disaster, every Kashmiri says Allahu Akbar. At the time of any incident, we remember Allah. Everything is being done to hide the failure… Police and security will have to change their system… This has nothing to do with militancy and the common Kashmiri would always cry out loud, Bismillah, Allahu Akbar if something happens…They are misinformed about everything.”

(with inputs from ANI, PTI)

Location :

Pahalgam, India, India