Tourist unaware of unfolding terrorist attack in Pahalgam as he smiles while riding zip line

The disturbing moment a tourist rides a zip line, while absolute horror unfolds below, has been shared in horrific new footage.

The chilling moment a tourist riding a zip line while a deadly terror attack unfolded on the ground below has been shared in disturbing detail.

Last week, gunmen shot and killed at least 26 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The shooting attack unfolded in Baisaran meadow, around 5 kilometres from the disputed region’s resort town of Pahalgam.

The man was zip lining while the shooting unfolded beneath him.

According to police, at least 26 tourists were shot and killed in Baisaran meadow.

According to police, at least three dozen people were wounded in the conflict, with many sustaining serious injuries.

Police blamed militants fighting against Indian rule for the attack, with at least four militants filmed firing at dozens of tourists from close range, according to AP.

It is understood that most of the killed tourists were Indian.

In newly shared video — shot ‘selfie-style’ by the videographer — a man is seen smiling from ear to ear while enjoying the zip line.

Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack as food stall chairs lie empty in Pahalgam, about 90 kilometres from Srinagar on April 23, 2025. Picture: Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP.

Wearing a blue checked shirt, a pair of sunglasses and helmet as safety gear — the tourist uses a selfie stick to capture the 53-second ride. During the disturbing video, of which he is oblivious to the terror unfolding below, gunshots can be heard in the background.

The man was oblivious to what was unfolding below.

Towards the end of the recording, as the zip line ride comes to an end and the man moves closer to the ground, a tourist is seen falling down presumably after sustaining a bullet injury.

Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack as food stall chairs lie empty in Pahalgam. Picture: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP.

Speaking to Asian News International ANI, the man — identified by the news agency as Rishi Bhatt from Ahmedabad — said as soon as he registered what was unfolding, he quickly unclipped himself from the zip line harness, found his wife and son and started running.

“We saw people hiding at a spot which was like a pit, so they could not be spotted easily,” he explained.

“We hid there too. When the firing stopped a little after 8-10 minutes, we started running toward the main gate … The firing resumed and four to five people were shot. Around 15-16 tourists were shot in front of us. When we reached the gate, we saw the local residents had already left. One pony guide helped us to leave the place.”

The attack was described by the region’s chief minister Omar Abdullah as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”.