The interrogation of Muzammil, a zip line operator at the Pahalgam tourist site, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sparked significant public debate and media coverage following a deadly terrorist attack in the region on April 22 that claimed the lives of 26 individuals. Muzammil came under intense scrutiny after a video surfaced on social media in which he was heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” three times just moments before gunfire erupted in the background. The video, captured by tourist Rishi Bhatt, immediately went viral and led to widespread speculation about the operator’s possible involvement in the coordinated attack.
The NIA, which is handling the investigation into the Pahalgam terror incident, took notice of the viral footage and summoned Muzammil for questioning. During his initial interrogation, Muzammil reportedly maintained that the chant was a spontaneous, instinctive utterance in response to the terrifying situation. According to NIA sources quoted by India Today, Muzammil’s reaction was seen as analogous to someone shouting a religious invocation like “Hey Ram” or “Oh God” during a moment of fear or panic. They emphasized that no solid evidence had emerged linking him directly to the attack or suggesting that he had any prior knowledge of it.
However, the agency noted inconsistencies in his statements when pressed further, particularly regarding the timing and rationale behind his decision to release a tourist on the zipline after gunfire had begun. Investigators found this suspicious and continue to explore whether this action was an innocent mistake made in chaos or if it hints at something more deliberate. Muzammil’s family, especially his brother Mukhtar, has publicly come to his defense, stating emphatically in an interview with Aaj Tak that his brother had no connection to the terrorists and was merely a local trying to do his job in a dangerous and unpredictable environment. Mukhtar said Muzammil panicked like everyone else and fled the scene at the first sign of trouble, an act he believes is proof of his innocence.
The incident has not only ignited security concerns but also rekindled the ongoing conversation about how cultural and religious expressions are often misinterpreted in conflict zones like Kashmir. Speaking to ANI, People's Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo criticized the reaction to the viral video and urged people to better understand the cultural context. “Every Kashmiri, regardless of who they are, instinctively remembers Allah in moments of fear, danger, or uncertainty. Saying 'Allahu Akbar' in such a context is not a political or militant act, but a spiritual and emotional one,” Trumboo said. He further accused the authorities of diverting attention from systemic security failures and instead placing undue suspicion on common citizens.
Trumboo also stressed that the broader problem lies not in cultural expressions but in how they are perceived by those unfamiliar with local customs. He urged national media and security agencies to avoid mischaracterizing ordinary Kashmiris and called for reforms in how such incidents are handled by the authorities.
The NIA’s investigation is still ongoing, and while Muzammil has not been detained or officially charged, his case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hasty conclusions and the fine line between national security vigilance and communal profiling. The incident has stirred a larger public debate on freedom of religious expression, the stereotyping of Kashmiri Muslims, and the need for more culturally informed approaches to counterterrorism in the region.
