Jammu , October 18, 2026 : The driver of a Jammu and Kashmir-registered passenger bus that came under attack in Haryana’s Karnal has alleged that a group of youths verbally abused him and called him a “terrorist” after noticing the vehicle’s J&K registration number. The incident, which occurred late Saturday evening, reportedly left passengers injured and triggered concern over the safety of Kashmiri travellers.
The driver, identified as Waqar Choudhary, told The Tribune that the confrontation began when the youths objected to the bus being parked at a hotel in Karnal. According to him, the group hurled abuses after seeing the registration plate and asked him to move the vehicle.
“The attackers abused me and asked me to move the bus away from the spot. They directly called me a terrorist after seeing the J&K-registered number plate,” Waqar said.
He added that he initially did not take the remarks seriously, believing the youths were under the influence of alcohol. However, the situation allegedly escalated when they began pelting the bus with stones and bricks, causing injuries to passengers inside.
Around 35 Passengers Were on Board
According to Waqar, approximately 35 passengers were travelling in the 40-seater bus at the time of the incident. The vehicle was carrying passengers on a route connecting Delhi and Kashmir.
He said three passengers who were travelling to Kashmir from Delhi decided not to continue their journey and returned home following the incident.
The alleged attack has raised concerns about the safety of passengers travelling in vehicles registered in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly amid claims that the confrontation involved anti-Kashmiri remarks.
Omar Abdullah Seeks Strict Action From Haryana Government
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken up the matter with the Haryana government, seeking stringent action against those responsible and measures to ensure the safety of passengers.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister’s Office conveyed its concern to the Haryana government regarding the incident and the well-being of those travelling on the bus.
“The Haryana administration has assured prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
The assurance follows demands for accountability and action against those allegedly involved in the attack.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Condemns Incident
The incident has sparked strong reactions in the Kashmir Valley, with religious and political leaders expressing concern over the alleged assault and the reported use of anti-Kashmiri slurs.
Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said he was disturbed by reports of the attack on a Kashmir-bound bus, which allegedly left an elderly passenger injured and others traumatised.
He also expressed concern over reports of threats against J&K-registered vehicles and urged the authorities to ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers.
Mirwaiz called for swift and strict legal action against those responsible, stressing the need to protect passengers from intimidation and violence.
Waheed Para Demands Arrests and Accountability
People’s Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para also condemned the alleged attack, stating that a Delhi-Srinagar sleeper bus had been targeted with bricks while passengers were asleep.
Para highlighted reports that an elderly Kashmiri passenger had been left bleeding and raised concerns over allegations that police had targeted passengers instead of the attackers.
Describing the incident as a matter of concern for the safety of ordinary Kashmiris, he demanded arrests and accountability.
The allegations concerning police conduct have added another dimension to the controversy, although they remain claims made by political representatives and require verification by the authorities.
J&K Students Association Raises Questions Over Incident
Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, said he had spoken to an injured passenger whose account, he claimed, contradicted suggestions that a passenger had consumed alcohol.
According to Khuehami, the passenger alleged that the attackers were drunk, initiated the confrontation, hurled anti-Kashmiri abuses and subsequently attacked the bus with stones, bricks and rods.
Khuehami maintained that the incident was more serious than an ordinary dispute over parking or giving way, alleging that the confrontation involved targeted verbal abuse and violence.
His account presents a different version of the circumstances leading to the incident. The sequence of events and the competing claims will need to be established through an official investigation.
Safety of Kashmiri Travellers Becomes a Key Concern
The alleged attack has triggered a wider debate in Kashmir over the security of residents travelling outside Jammu and Kashmir. The reported use of the word “terrorist” against the driver because of the vehicle’s registration plate has drawn particular concern from political and religious representatives.
With Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking intervention from Haryana and the state administration assuring action under the law, attention is now focused on identifying those responsible and establishing the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident has also renewed calls for authorities to ensure that travellers from Jammu and Kashmir can move safely across states without facing intimidation or discrimination.
The allegations reported by the driver and other representatives are yet to be independently established in the information available. An official investigation will be important in determining responsibility and the full sequence of events.
