Pahalgam Terror Attack | Model Ekta Tiwari Claims Meeting Terrorists 2 Days Before Attack: They Misbehaved...

Pahalgam Terror Attack Update: Model Ekta Tiwari from Jaunpur has made a startling claim following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. She stated that two suspected terrorists, whose sketches were released by security agencies, had posed as mule handlers during her visit. Ekta had travelled to Pahalgam with her family and friends and returned home just two days before the attack.

Ekta recounted that the behaviour of these mule handlers seemed suspicious, prompting her to secretly record videos of them. "We left Pahalgam on April 21. Now, after seeing the sketches released by the authorities, I realise I had a close brush with death," she shared with News18.

Suspicious Encounters During Trip

During her trip, Ekta arranged a mule ride through a local handler, but two unknown men accompanied him instead. They began asking her about Ajmer and Amarnath Yatra, inquiring about the number of people present and their religion. Feeling uneasy, she refrained from revealing much information.

The men also asked personal questions about her husband and marriage. One even claimed to be a Quran teacher and questioned her about religious practices. "They misbehaved with me for not reading the Quran and for wearing a rudraksha mala," Ekta recalled.

Unsettling Behaviour Raises Alarm

The men attempted to coerce Ekta's group into visiting Baisaran Valley with them. When they refused, the men became angry and behaved inappropriately. "They insisted on taking us to Baisaran Valley, but we didn't go," she said. Ekta recognised one of the terrorists from the sketches released later.

Ekta also noted that one of the mule handlers had a keypad phone hidden inside his shoe. This further heightened her suspicion about their intentions during the trip.

Immediate Action Taken

Upon returning home, Ekta promptly alerted authorities by registering her concerns with the CM Helpline (1076). She also informed a relative serving in the CISF about her encounter with these individuals.

"It's terrifying to think we were so close to danger," she expressed. Ekta strongly believes that individuals with extreme ideologies should not be allowed to mingle with tourists or hide in plain sight.

Terror Attack Claims Lives

A horrifying terrorist attack occurred on April 22 at a popular tourist spot in Pahalgam. Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen targeted visitors after questioning them about their religion before opening fire.

The brutal attack resulted in 26 fatalities, including a brave local horse-rider who was shot while trying to disarm one of the attackers in an attempt to protect tourists.

Ekta Tiwari had embarked on this journey with 20 others, including her husband, children, brother, and friends. The group began their trip on April 13 by visiting Vaishno Devi before reaching Pahalgam on April 20 after stops at Sonmarg and Srinagar.