Mehbooba Mufti Defends Zipline Operator’s Chant During Pahalgam Attack
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has stepped in to defend the zipline operator whose chant of “Allahu Akbar” during the Pahalgam terror attack has triggered a wave of social media outrage. A viral video surfaced showing the chant moments before gunfire erupted, leading some to allege that the operator may have had foreknowledge of the assault.
Reacting to the controversy, Mufti stated, “We say Allahu Akbar when in distress. Christians say ‘Oh Jesus’ and Hindus say ‘Hey Ram.’” She condemned attempts to communalize the incident and accused right-wing elements of spreading hatred by targeting innocent Kashmiris. Mufti urged the central government to act firmly against those inciting communal tensions online through misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric.
Family of Operator Speaks: ‘He Was Terrified’
The zipline operator, identified as Muzamil, is a local resident whose family has now come forward to reject the allegations against him. His father, Abdul Aziz, said that Muzamil was visibly shaken by the terror attack and even cried after the gunfire broke out. According to Aziz, the chant was a spontaneous expression of fear and religious instinct, not a coded warning or signal.
Muzamil’s family emphasized that many Muslims utter “Allahu Akbar” in moments of panic, similar to how people of other faiths invoke their deities in distress. They warned that vilifying a traumatized local boy on the basis of a few seconds of video risks stoking unnecessary communal disharmony.
Eyewitness Account Raises Suspicion, But No Proof Yet
The matter gained traction after Gujarat tourist Rishi Bhatt, who survived the Pahalgam attack, recounted his experience in interviews. Bhatt said that just as he began the zipline, the operator chanted “Allahu Akbar” — something that hadn’t occurred with previous tourists. Moments later, gunfire erupted, prompting Bhatt to question whether it was merely a coincidence.
However, no evidence has yet linked the operator to the attack, and security agencies have not confirmed any wrongdoing. Investigations remain underway, but officials have urged the public to refrain from drawing premature conclusions based on viral content.
As tensions remain high in the aftermath of the terror attack, calls are growing for both restraint and responsibility, especially on social media platforms where unverified narratives often inflame communal sentiments.
