Pahalgam Attack: 'Allahu Akbar' chant by zip line operator natural reaction, say NIA sources
Srinagar, Apr 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said that the zip line operator who was heard chanting 'Allahu Akbar' during the recent terror attack in Pahalgam was reacting naturally to the sudden violence and had no known links to the attackers.
The zip line operator, identified as Muzammil, was seen in a viral video recorded on April 22—the day of the attack that claimed 26 lives—chanting 'Allahu Akbar' three times while a tourist used the adventure ride. The video, captured by tourist Rishi Bhatt, showed both the zip line activity and the sound of gunfire during the attack.
After the video gained widespread attention online, the NIA questioned Muzammil about his actions and the timing of his chants. However, NIA sources told India Today TV that chanting 'Allahu Akbar' was likely a spontaneous reaction, similar to how people from other faiths might invoke God during moments of panic or shock. “It is similar to someone saying ‘Hey Ram’ in a moment of fear,” said an NIA source.
While Muzammil reportedly gave different answers when asked why he released the tourist on the zip line after gunfire began, the investigators have not found any evidence so far to directly connect him to the attack.
Rishi Bhatt, who was the last tourist to take the zip line ride before the attack, had claimed that Muzammil chanted 'Allahu Akbar' thrice just before the shooting started. The video was recorded on Bhatt’s camera.
Meanwhile, Muzammil's brother Mukhtar spoke to India Today/Aaj Tak, strongly defending his sibling. He said Muzammil had no prior knowledge of the attack and ran for his life as soon as the firing began.
Reacting to the incident, People's Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo told ANI that such chants are common in Kashmir during any tragic or shocking incident. “Kashmiris naturally remember Allah during disasters. People outside do not understand our culture. This has nothing to do with militancy,” he said.
Trumboo also criticised the authorities, saying the focus should be on reviewing lapses in the security system rather than targeting innocent individuals.
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SRH knocked out of play-off race after washout against DC
Hyderabad, May 5 (PTI): Sunrisers Hyderabad were eliminated from the play-offs race after their Indian Premier League fixture against Delhi Capitals was called off due to heavy rain following the first innings here on Monday.
Pat Cummins-led SRH pace attack ran through the DC batting line-up to limit the visitors to 133/7 before rain dashed the slim hopes of the home team. Both teams shared a point each for the abandoned game.
With 13 points from 11 games, DC remain in contention for a top-four spot.
After reaching the final last year, it was a season to forget for SRH who could not replicate their ballistic run of 2024 with the bat. Having collected only seven points from 11 matches, SRH will now be playing for pride.
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were already eliminated from the competition.
Before rain lashed the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, the hosts put up a clinical effort with the ball and were on course for only their fourth win of the season until rain arrived, creating large puddles of water on the outfield. The match officials decided to call off the game at 11.10 pm local time.
The shot selection of Delhi Capitals' batters contributed to their downfall after being put in to bat.
They were left reeling at 29 for five in 7.1 overs with captain Cummins causing the maximum damage.
Cummins had Karun Nair caught behind on the very first ball of the match with a good length ball around the off-stump. It was a rather loose shot from the DC batter first up.
Faf du Plessis departed in Cummins' following over, a failed attempt to put the relentless Australian away for a boundary. Not getting any loose ball from Cummins, the South Africa went for a pull on the charge only to be caught by the wicket-keeper.
Cummins' third victim was Abhishek Porel who was caught after mistiming a flick.
Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat then got into the act by dismissing Axar Patel and K L Rahul respectively. The in-form Rahul went for a drive on the up but ended up edging it to Ishan Kishan behind the stumps.
It was one way traffic until Tristian Stubbs (41 not out off 36) and impact player Ashutosh Sharma (41 off 26) combined to take DC to a respectable total. They shared a 66-run stand off 45 balls.
Sharma was able to break the shackles by depositing leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari for a couple of sixes over long-on in the 15th over.
Stubbs did not look as comfortable as Sharma in the middle but managed to provide much needed support to the latter. The South African could find only four boundaries with the last one coming off the final ball of the innings.
🚨 News 🚨
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2025
Match 55 between @SunRisers and @DelhiCapitals has been called off due to wet outfield.
Both teams share a point each.
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/1MkIwk4VNE
#TATAIPL | #SRHvDC pic.twitter.com/VnVZWjsjGJ
