SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised strong concern on Sunday following an attack on a Srinagar-bound private sleeper bus at a roadside eatery near Kurukshetra in Haryana, urging Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to ensure swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
The incident, which occurred late Friday night, involved stone-pelting that left several bus windows shattered and an elderly Kashmiri passenger injured, triggering sharp condemnation from political parties across Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Takeaways
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Chief Minister’s Intervention: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah personally contacted Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the Haryana Police, demanding firm action and protective measures for interstate passenger vehicles.
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Overnight Assault at Dhaba: A Delhi-to-Srinagar luxury sleeper bus operated by Star World Ventures, carrying around 40 passengers, was pelted with stones and bricks while parked at a highway roadside facility in Haryana.
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Passenger Injury and Panic: An elderly Kashmiri passenger sustained bleeding injuries from flying glass fragments, while dozens of sleeping passengers, including women and children, were left traumatized.
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Political Condemnation: Regional political parties, including the National Conference and the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the assault, characterizing it as an unprovoked act of targeted violence against Kashmiri commuters.
Sequence of the Highway Incident
According to initial reports and statements from the private bus operator, the J&K-registered luxury bus had made a routine stop at Divine Star Dhaba near Kurukshetra when an initial altercation broke out.
A group of unidentified individuals reportedly verbally abused the vehicle driver before briefly departing. The assailants subsequently returned on motorcycles, armed with bricks and heavy stones, and systematically targeted the vehicle:
“This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government led by Nayab Singh Saini ji and the Haryana Police catch the culprits and take action to ensure these things don’t happen again.”
The bus operator further alleged that the attackers issued threats against Kashmir-registered commercial vehicles operating along the interstate highway corridor, an assertion currently under police review.
Administrative Oversight and Interstate Coordination
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office confirmed it remains in active coordination with Haryana law enforcement officials to monitor the status of the investigation and ensure the safe transit of passenger services between New Delhi and the Kashmir Valley.
Interstate transport federations and local political representatives have called for increased highway patrolling and stringent security enforcement along critical northern transit routes to prevent similar disruptions to commercial and public travel.
