HARYANA:
An elderly Kashmiri passenger was injured after a Delhi to Srinagar sleeper bus was allegedly attacked with stones and bricks near Kurukshetra in Haryana late Saturday night.
The luxury sleeper bus, operated by Kashmir-based *Star World Ventures* and bearing a Jammu and Kashmir registration number, was carrying around 40 passengers from Delhi to Srinagar. The incident took place around *10:30-10:45 PM on Oct 17 near Divine Star Dhaba* in Karnal-Kurukshetra stretch.
*What Happened - As Per Bus Owner:*
Adil Bhat, owner of Star World Ventures, said the bus had halted at the dhaba when a group of men arrived in a car and entered into an altercation with the driver.
According to Bhat, the men allegedly abused and assaulted the driver before leaving. They later returned on motorcycles and pelted the bus with stones and bricks, smashing windowpanes and tail lights. Videos circulating on social media show shattered glasses inside the bus and an elderly man with blood on his face.
The bus owner further alleged that the attackers threatened the driver, saying _“This is Haryana. Kashmir-registered vehicles will not be allowed to operate here.”_ The motive has not been independently verified by police yet.
*CM Omar Abdullah Reacts:*
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident and took up the matter with the Haryana government.
> "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," Omar Abdullah posted on X.
Later, in an official statement, CM Omar said his office had spoken to the Haryana administration, which has assured *prompt and stringent action* as per law.
> "The J&K Government stands with the affected passengers and is closely monitoring the situation," he said.
*Political Reactions:*
National Conference spokesperson
Imran Nabi Dar termed it an alleged hate crime, saying families were left "helpless and terrified". PDP leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra alleged that police targeted passengers instead of attackers and demanded arrests.
Haryana Police is yet to issue a formal statement on FIR and arrests. The exact motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
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