The inclusion of the "Allahu Akbar" chant—coinciding eerily with the outbreak of gunfire in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow—has become a deeply emotional and contentious element of the ongoing investigation into the April 22 terrorist attack that left 26 civilians dead, including children. The fact that this utterance was caught on a tourist's camera, just as the massacre began, has cast a harsh spotlight on Muzammil, the zipline operator at the scene, whose actions and intent are now under close scrutiny by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
This investigation is walking a fine line between determining whether Muzammil had foreknowledge or any role in the attack—or whether his chant was simply a benign, habitual utterance coinciding tragically with the moment of horror. In Islamic culture, "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") is a common phrase used in both religious devotion and everyday situations, including excitement or moments of exertion. However, the phrase has also been weaponised in media narratives due to its association with extremist violence, particularly in the West and during terrorist attacks—making its presence in this context particularly charged.
From a law enforcement perspective, the NIA’s questioning of Muzammil is procedural and not unusual given:
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The suspicious timing of the chant;
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His physical presence at the scene during the attack;
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The viral spread of the video, which risks public unrest and communal polarisation if not addressed transparently.
Yet, as Mukhtar, Muzammil’s brother, maintains, there is no indication of guilt—arguing that Muzammil fled in fear like everyone else and had no prior knowledge of the massacre. His consistent statements to authorities, his established work history in Baisaran, and his cooperation during initial questioning lend some weight to his innocence, though the final assessment will depend on forensic evidence, digital footprint analysis, and witness testimonies.
The larger concern here is the deliberate targeting of tourists—a calculated move by militants to damage the region’s fragile peace and its slowly recovering tourism industry. Pahalgam and Baisaran, often dubbed “Mini Switzerland,” are symbolic of normalcy in Kashmir. An attack of this nature, especially on unsuspecting families engaged in leisure, represents a cold-blooded escalation in tactics: designed not just to kill, but to instil maximum fear and chaos.
Survivor videos have become critical evidence—not just in identifying timelines and shooters—but also in shaping public memory and political pressure. The fact that these traumatic events were recorded in real time intensifies the emotional resonance and political sensitivity of the case.
At this stage, Muzammil remains a person of interest, not formally accused. The NIA’s reconstruction of the crime scene, forensic analysis of audio-video material, and vetting of local support networks will ultimately determine whether his role was incidental or complicit.
