Model Ekta Tiwari Claims Meeting Pahalgam Terrorists In Kashmir, Says They 'Misbehaved' With Her For Not Reading Quran & Wearing Rudraksha Mala

In a chilling revelation following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, model Ekta Tiwari from Jaunpur has claimed that two of the suspected terrorists, whose sketches were released by security agencies, were posing as mule handlers and had accompanied her during her trip. Ekta, who had visited Pahalgam with her family and friends, returned home just two days before the attack.

Speaking to News18, Ekta shared that the behaviour of the mule handlers had appeared suspicious at the time, 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 said.

Ekta said she had casually arranged a mule ride through a local handler, but others showed up instead. "Two unknown men came along with the mule handler. They started asking me about Ajmer. I told them I had never been there. Then they began questioning me about Amarnath Yatra - how many people had come, what our religion was, etc. I was scared and didn't reveal the truth. They also asked personal questions about my husband and marriage. Then they asked if I read the Quran and what religion I follow more. One even claimed to be a Quran teacher," she recalled.

"We began our trip on April 13 with a visit to Vaishno Devi, and reached Pahalgam on April 20 after visiting Sonmarg and Srinagar," the model added.

According to Ekta, the men tried to force her group into accompanying them to Baisaran Valley. "They insisted on taking us to Baisaran Valley, but we didn't go. They were angry and misbehaved with us. We even have videos of the incident. More than half of our group returned early. Out of the sketches released, I recognise one of the terrorists," she said.

She also added that the men made derogatory remarks over her religious symbols. "These individuals misbehaved with me for not reading the Quran and for wearing a rudraksha mala," Ekta said. "One of the mule handlers even had a keypad phone hidden inside his shoe," she added.

Ekta immediately alerted authorities and registered her inputs with the CM Helpline (1076) upon her return. She also informed a relative serving in the CISF.

"It's terrifying to think we were so close to danger. I strongly feel that people with such extreme ideologies should not be allowed to mingle with tourists or hide in plain sight," she added.

The model, who had quit a banking job to pursue modeling, said she was travelling with a group of 20 people including her husband, two children, brother, and some friends.

26 killed in terror attack

In a horrifying act of violence, a broad daylight terrorist attack unfolded on April 22 at a bustling tourist location in Pahalgam. According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen allegedly targeted visitors after asking them questions related to their religion before opening fire.

The brutal ambush claimed the lives of 26 people, including a courageous local horse-rider who was fatally shot while trying to disarm one of the attackers in a desperate attempt to shield the tourists.