Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has confirmed that his office has formally engaged with the Haryana government regarding an incident where a sleeper bus bound for Jammu and Kashmir was subjected to stone-throwing near Kurukshetra. An elderly passenger sustained injuries in the unprovoked attack, which has drawn condemnation from political circles in the Union Territory.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the administration in Haryana has pledged to undertake prompt and stringent action against those responsible for the assault, in strict adherence to legal provisions. Chief Minister Abdullah conveyed that the Jammu and Kashmir government stands in solidarity with the passengers affected by the incident and is maintaining close oversight of the developing situation. The details of the attack, which involved stones and bricks being hurled at the bus bearing Jammu and Kashmir registration plates, were shared via a post on the Chief Minister’s official X handle.
In an earlier communication, Abdullah had directly appealed to his Haryana counterpart, Nayab Singh Saini, urging decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators. He expressed his dismay, stating that such an unfortunate event should not have occurred and voiced his hope that the Haryana government and its police force would swiftly bring the culprits to justice and implement measures to prevent future occurrences. The incident has been characterized by some as a hate crime, highlighting concerns about the safety and security of individuals traveling between regions.
Imran Nabi Dar, a spokesperson for the National Conference, articulated the party’s stance, describing the pelting of stones and bricks on the Kashmir-bound bus, which was en route from Delhi to Srinagar, near Kurukshetra in Haryana, as an alleged hate crime. He further detailed that an elderly Kashmiri man was injured during the attack, leaving families aboard the bus feeling helpless and terrified. Dar strongly condemned what he termed a “murderous attack on innocent people” and issued a demand for immediate and appropriate action against those found to be involved.
Visual evidence of the damage sustained by the luxury sleeper bus, operated by Star World Ventures, has also surfaced. An X user shared a video depicting the extent of the vandalism, which included shattered windows, broken tail lights, and a bent license plate. The footage underscores the severity of the attack and the potential danger posed to passengers. The incident raises significant questions about inter-regional travel security and the need for robust measures to protect citizens from targeted violence. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses and more details emerge regarding the motive and the individuals involved in the stone-pelting incident.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.