In a tragic twist of fate, a local photographer in Kashmir, widely known for creating cheerful reels of honeymooners and tourists at the serene Baisaran meadow, became a key eyewitness to a brutal terror attack that left 26 people dead in Pahalgam on April 22. While perched atop a tree in a desperate attempt to save his life, he managed to record crucial video footage of the massacre, providing investigators with rare, direct evidence of the unfolding horror.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has formally taken over the probe following orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs, considers the photographer's recordings vital for reconstructing the timeline of the attack and identifying the terrorists involved. His identity is being carefully protected for security reasons.
According to reports, the photographer, familiar with Baisaran’s picturesque and tranquil landscapes, often visited by honeymooners, was atop a tree when terrorists suddenly opened fire at point-blank range. The footage he captured could reveal not just how the attack was executed but possibly also help trace the movements and identities of the attackers.
Investigations so far have revealed that the terrorists trekked for nearly 20 to 22 hours through harsh mountainous terrain from the Kokernag forests to reach Baisaran. They launched the attack by emerging from behind shops in the meadow, first ordering victims to recite the Kalma — a declaration of faith in Islam — before executing four people who could not, at point-blank range. Two other terrorists simultaneously opened fire from near the zipline area, adding to the chaos and bloodshed.
During the attack, terrorists also snatched two mobile phones — one from a tourist and one from a local — possibly to prevent the victims from calling for help or to use the devices for communication later. Sources suggest that four attackers were involved: three Pakistani terrorists and one local, identified as Adil Thokar.
One of the most heart-wrenching tragedies was the death of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Karnal, Haryana. He had been married just four days before and was honeymooning in Pahalgam with his wife when he was killed. His wife, still in shock, recounted that they were eating bhelpuri when a gunman demanded her husband recite the Kalma; when he did not, the terrorist shot him dead.
The massacre targeted not just locals but also tourists who had come to Kashmir seeking peace and beauty. In the aftermath, senior NIA officials have been supervising investigations on the ground since April 23, combing the area for more evidence.
The photographer’s video footage is now seen as a potential game-changer in the investigation, offering the NIA vital leads to understand the sequence of events, the nature of the planning, and the identities of the perpetrators behind one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent times in Kashmir.
