Pony operator detained in Sonamarg amid harassment allegation by tourist

SRINAGAR — A pony operator accused of harassing a tourist in Sonamarg has been apprehended by police following a viral video on social media, police said.

In the video, a female tourist alleged that a local individual had asked her intrusive questions regarding her religion.

Acting swiftly, Ganderbal Police launched an investigation and identified the accused as Aiyaz Ahmad Jungala, resident of Gohipora Raizan, Ganderbal, who works as a pony service provider at the Thajwas Glacier in Sonamarg.

Police said the suspect was taken into custody and subjected to sustained questioning. “The matter is being taken seriously, and appropriate legal action is underway,” police said.

The incident comes days after the Pahalgam attack where the Pakistani-linked militants asked the victims about their religion and shot dead 26 men, mostly tourists.