Crime
‘Hurled abuses, called us terrorists’: Kashmir-bound bus attacked in Haryana, elderly passenger injured;
The bus, operated by Star World Ventures and carrying around 40 passengers, had stopped near the dhaba in the Neelokheri area at approximately 10:30 pm when the incident occurred. According to accounts provided by the driver, passengers and the bus operator, an argument over parking and giving way allegedly escalated into verbal abuse, threats and violence.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that he has taken up the matter with the Haryana government and is seeking action against those responsible. Socio-political leaders and community representatives have also condemned the reported attack, demanded accountability and expressed concern over the safety of Kashmiris travelling to other parts of the country.
According to the bus driver and passengers, the trouble began when the vehicle stopped near Divine Star Dhaba in the Neelokheri area. An argument reportedly broke out over parking and giving way, which allegedly escalated into an altercation with a group of men.
Adil Bhat, owner of Star World Ventures, said that the driver informed him about the incident after a group of men arrived in a car and allegedly entered into an altercation with him.
Bhat alleged that the men abused and assaulted the driver before leaving the spot. They subsequently returned on motorcycles and allegedly pelted the bus with stones, damaging its windows. Some passengers had reportedly stepped out of the vehicle during the halt.
According to Bhat, the group returned for a third time and allegedly threatened that vehicles registered in Jammu and Kashmir would not be allowed to operate in Haryana.
“This is Haryana. Kashmir-registered vehicles will not be allowed to operate here,” Bhat quoted the men as telling the driver.
The bus driver, Waqar Chowdhary, also alleged that the attackers threatened to prevent Jammu and Kashmir-registered buses from operating on the route. Speaking to News18, Chowdhary said he was called a “terrorist” during the confrontation.
Passengers alleged that some of the people involved appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and used abusive language, including referring to the passengers and driver as “terrorists”.
The alleged attack damaged the bus extensively, with its windowpanes smashed and rear lights also reportedly damaged. Broken glass flew into the passenger compartment, leaving those inside frightened, and some passengers reportedly injured by the shards.
An elderly Kashmiri passenger sustained injuries in the incident. A video purportedly recorded after the attack showed the damaged vehicle and passengers recounting their experience, including allegations that the bus had been targeted with bricks.
Passengers described the incident as a terrifying ordeal, saying there was chaos inside the bus as the attack unfolded.
Bhat alleged that following a confrontation, police took some passengers into custody on allegations that they had attempted to attack the police. The passengers were subsequently released, while the driver was asked to leave the area, he said, as quoted by a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer.
PDP leader and MLA Waheed Para raised similar concerns, saying reports suggested that police had acted against passengers instead of the alleged attackers.
According to a preliminary account reported by News18, the dispute began over parking and giving way near the dhaba before escalating into a confrontation and stone-pelting. Police reportedly said that both sides had consumed alcohol.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident and called for the identification and prosecution of those responsible.
“This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government led by @NayabSainiBJP ji & @police_haryana catch the culprits & take action to ensure these things don’t happen again,” Abdullah wrote on X.
In a subsequent update, the Chief Minister’s Office said the matter had been taken up with the Haryana government, conveying concern over the safety and well-being of the affected passengers.
“The Haryana administration has assured prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law,” the CMO said.
It added that the Jammu and Kashmir government stood with the affected passengers and was closely monitoring the situation.
Abdullah urged the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and the state police to identify the perpetrators and ensure that such incidents were not repeated.
National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar condemned the reported attack, describing it as an alleged hate crime.
“One elderly Kashmiri man injured in the attack, families left helpless and terrified. We condemn the murderous attack on innocent people and demand action against the perpetrators,” Dar said in a post on X.
He urged Haryana Police to take cognisance of the incident, identify those responsible and initiate action against them.
Dar’s remarks reflected growing concern among political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir over the safety of residents travelling outside the Union Territory.
“A Delhi–Srinagar sleeper bus was attacked with bricks in Kurukshetra while passengers slept. An elderly Kashmiri was left bleeding. Disturbingly, reports suggest police targeted passengers instead of the attackers,” Waheed Para wrote on X.
“Hate is making ordinary Kashmiris unsafe. We demand arrests and accountability,” he added, tagging Haryana Police and other authorities.
Para alleged that the incident should not be treated merely as an ordinary dispute between individuals, particularly in view of the reported threats against Jammu and Kashmir-registered vehicles.
He called for arrests and accountability, stressing the need to ensure the safety of Kashmiris travelling outside the Union Territory.
The reported incident also drew condemnation from other political and religious representatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) Jammu and Kashmir president Vivek Bali condemned the alleged attack on Kashmiri passengers and expressed concern that such incidents could undermine the country’s image of diversity, unity and hospitality.
Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi called upon the Haryana government to ensure a prompt and impartial investigation into the reported attack on the sleeper bus and bring those responsible to justice.
The leaders called for an effective response from the authorities, with demands centring on the identification of the alleged attackers, legal action and safeguards against similar incidents.
Passengers said the incident should not be viewed merely as a disagreement over parking or access to a road, particularly in light of the alleged communal abuse and threats against Jammu and Kashmir-registered vehicles.
They stressed that Kashmiris are an equal part of the country and urged people not to use isolated incidents to malign an entire community or region.
The passengers said disagreements could occur anywhere but could not justify violence, intimidation or alleged hate-filled abuse directed at people because of their place of origin.
They demanded stern action by Haryana Police against those responsible and urged the authorities to ensure the safety of people travelling between Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
They also appealed to the administration to ensure that buses registered in Jammu and Kashmir could operate without fear, intimidation or discrimination.