A bus carrying passengers from Jammu and Kashmir to the valley came under a stone-pelting attack late Saturday evening in Haryana, with the driver alleging that assailants hurled abuses and called him a “terrorist” upon noticing the vehicle’s registration plate.
The incident occurred at the parking spot of a hotel in Karnal, where youths reportedly began pelting stones and bricks at the bus, causing injuries to some passengers. Waqar Choudhary, the driver of the 40-seater bus which had approximately 35 passengers at the time, recounted the harrowing experience to The Tribune. He stated that the confrontation began with verbal abuse after the attackers noticed the J&K-registered number plate.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Choudhary initially dismissed the aggressors’ behaviour as the result of intoxication, but the situation escalated rapidly to physical assault. “The attackers abused me and asked to move the bus away from the spot. They directly called me a terrorist after seeing the J&K-registered number plate. I took it lightly as they were drunk but soon started pelting stones and bricks at the bus that caused injuries to passengers inside,” Choudhary stated.
Three passengers who were en route to Kashmir from Delhi reportedly decided not to continue their journey and returned from the scene of the attack. The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from various quarters in the valley, with religious and political leaders demanding swift and stringent action against those responsible. The Chief Minister’s Office of Jammu and Kashmir has reportedly taken up the matter with the Haryana government, seeking stringent action and assurances for the safety of passengers travelling from the region.
An official statement indicated that the Chief Minister’s Office conveyed its concern to the Haryana government regarding the incident and the well-being of the passengers. The Haryana administration has assured prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law. Kashmir’s Chief Cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed his distress over the attack, noting that an elderly passenger was injured and others were left traumatised. He highlighted concerns about threats against J&K-registered vehicles and urged authorities to ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers and prosecute the perpetrators.
Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para also commented on the incident, describing it as an attack with bricks while passengers were asleep, leaving an elderly Kashmiri injured. Para also raised concerns about reports suggesting that the police may have targeted passengers instead of the attackers, stating that such incidents contribute to an unsafe environment for ordinary Kashmiris and demanding accountability.
Nasir Khuehami, National Convener of the J&K Students Association, reported speaking with an injured passenger whose account differed from any suggestion that passengers had consumed alcohol. According to Khuehami, it was the attackers who were intoxicated and initiated the confrontation with anti-Kashmiri abuses before resorting to pelting stones, bricks, and rods. He characterized the incident as far more disturbing than a simple dispute over right of way.
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.
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