A Srinagar-bound bus was allegedly pelted with stones in Punjab’s Doraha town in Ludhiana district late Sunday night, less than 24 hours after another bus operated by the same transport company was attacked in Haryana’s Karnal district, The Indian Express reported.
The incident took place around 11 pm when the bus, belonging to Kashmir-based Star World Ventures, was travelling from Delhi to Srinagar with around 35 passengers on board. A stone struck and shattered a windowpane, but no injuries were reported, police said.
Rakesh Kumar Yadav, Superintendent of Police (Investigation), Khanna, said police personnel escorted the bus safely out of their jurisdiction. Police are examining CCTV footage to identify those responsible and are investigating whether the two incidents were linked. An FIR was being registered at Doraha police station, he said.
Bus driver Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi told The Indian Express that three stones were thrown at the vehicle as it reached Doraha after a dinner halt in Ambala, Haryana. He said the passengers included women, children and elderly people.
The Khanna police escorted the bus for around 20 km, allowing it to continue its journey towards Srinagar safely.
The attack came a day after a Srinagar-bound bus operated by the same company was allegedly attacked with stones and bricks near a dhaba in Karnal, Haryana. At least four Kashmiri passengers were injured in that incident, according to the report.
The back-to-back incidents prompted concern over the safety of passengers travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.
Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state police chief to ensure a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
He said repeated attacks on Kashmir-bound vehicles raised serious concerns about the safety of Kashmiri passengers and stressed that no one should face intimidation because of their identity or place of origin.
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