The chilling account from Ekta Tiwari, a survivor and witness, has become a crucial lead in the Pahalgam terror attack investigation, which left 26 Hindu pilgrims dead on April 22. Her detailed testimony, along with emerging evidence, has led police to detain a suspect and raise alarm over the security gaps in the valley, especially in tourist zones.
Key Developments:
1. Arrest of a Suspect:
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The Ganderbal District Police detained Aiyaz Ahmad Jungal, a pony service provider from Gohipora Raizan, Sonamarg.
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He was identified after a viral video showed a tourist woman alleging that he had questioned her about her religion while showing a photograph resembling a suspect in the Pahalgam attack.
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Aiyaz is being questioned to determine any possible connection to the terror plot, including whether he had links to the attackers or helped them in any way.
2. Eyewitness Testimony by Ekta Tiwari:
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Ekta Tiwari, from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, said she encountered two of the suspected terrorists during a mule ride in Baisaran Valley on April 20, two days before the attack.
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She took a photo of one of the men, who wore a maroon jacket and pyjamas, matching the sketches later released by the authorities.
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The suspect reportedly asked intrusive questions about her religion, number of Hindu and Muslim friends, and whether she had read the Quran.
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He also allegedly offered her help to bypass the Amarnath Yatra registration, hinting at prior arrangements and possible infiltration.
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Tiwari overheard the man on a phone call saying:
“Plan A brake fail. Plan B — 35 guns sent and kept on the grass in the valley.”
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She felt increasingly unsafe and said he switched languages when he saw her paying attention.
3. Claims of Pakistani Accent and Posing as Quran Teacher:
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Tiwari noted that the suspect seemed foreign, possibly Pakistani, though living in Kashmir for several years.
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He claimed to be a Quran teacher.
4. Security Lapses Exposed:
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Tiwari said there were no visible tourist booths or police presence in the area.
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The only checkpoint she saw was unmanned on the way back from Pahalgam.
5. Group Confirmation:
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Her group of 20 tourists, including her husband Prashant Gautam, later cross-checked WhatsApp screenshots and photos and confirmed the suspects matched those from official sketches.
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Tiwari is “200% sure” about her identification.
Implications:
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Police and intelligence agencies are treating her account as a major breakthrough, particularly because it points to pre-attack reconnaissance and infiltration of tourist groups.
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The mention of "35 guns" hidden in the valley and the suspicious phrases like “Plan A brake fail” suggest a larger, possibly multi-phase terror operation.
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The investigation may expand to Sonamarg, Baisaran, and adjoining areas to look for local facilitators, hidden arms, and communications links.
Political and Strategic Reactions:
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With this new eyewitness evidence, pressure is mounting on law enforcement and intelligence to prevent future attacks and ensure tourist safety in Kashmir.
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It further supports India’s assertion that Pakistan-based cross-border terrorism being behind the Pahalgam attack — a claim already acknowledged internationally, including by the US administration.
The detention of Aiyaz Ahmad Jungal and Ekta Tiwari’s explosive revelations could be pivotal in unraveling the network behind one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Kashmir in recent years.
