Omar Abdullah demands strict action over J&K bus attack in Haryana's Kurukshetra
Synopsis
A Srinagar-bound bus carrying 40 passengers was attacked in waves near Kurukshetra, Haryana, with attackers threatening that J&K-registered vehicles would not be allowed to operate in the state. J&K CM Omar Abdullah and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have both demanded swift action, putting political pressure on the Haryana government to respond.
Key Takeaways
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanded strict action from the Haryana government after a Srinagar-bound bus was attacked on the night of 17 October .
The bus, operated by Star World Ventures and carrying about 40 passengers , was attacked near Kurukshetra at around 10:45 pm .
Attackers pelted stones and bricks in multiple waves, injuring an elderly Kashmiri passenger and damaging the vehicle.
The group reportedly threatened that J&K-registered vehicles would not be allowed to operate in Haryana .
Chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed alarm, calling for swift legal action to protect Kashmiri travellers.
The Haryana administration has reportedly assured the J&K government of prompt and stringent action.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on 18 October 2026 called the stone-pelting attack on a Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana 'unfortunate' and demanded that the Haryana government take stringent action against those responsible. The incident, which occurred late on the night of 17 October near Kurukshetra, left an elderly Kashmiri passenger injured and the vehicle damaged.
What Happened Near Kurukshetra
A Delhi-Srinagar sleeper bus operated by Star World Ventures, carrying approximately 40 passengers and registered in Jammu and Kashmir, was targeted in multiple waves of attack near Divine Star Dhaba in the Kurukshetra-Karnal region at around 10:45 pm on 17 October. According to reports, a group of men first arrived by car and allegedly abused and assaulted the driver during a stop. The same group returned on motorcycles and pelted the bus with stones and bricks, shattering windowpanes and injuring an elderly passenger. The attackers reportedly returned a third time, issuing threats that J&K-registered vehicles would not be allowed to operate in Haryana. Police subsequently detained some passengers briefly before releasing them.
What Omar Abdullah Said
The Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X that it had taken up the incident with the Haryana government, conveying concern for the safety and well-being of the passengers. 'The Haryana administration has assured prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law. The J&K Government stands with the affected passengers and is closely monitoring the situation,' the statement read. Abdullah also personally posted on his X handle, writing: 'This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government lead by @NayabSainiBJPji & @police_haryana catch the culprits & take action to ensure these things don't happen again.'
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Raises Alarm
Senior religious leader and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed serious concern, posting on X: 'Disturbed to learn about the attack on a Kashmir bound bus in Haryana, leaving an elderly passenger injured and others traumatised. Reports of threats against J&K-registered vehicles are causing concern among people.' He called on authorities to ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers and take 'swift and strict legal action' against those responsible.
Broader Concerns Over Safety of Kashmiri Travellers
The attack has amplified anxieties among travellers from Jammu and Kashmir using the national highway corridor between Delhi and Srinagar. Reports of threats specifically targeting J&K-registered vehicles have added a communal undertone to what officials are treating as a law-and-order matter. This comes amid a period of heightened inter-regional sensitivity following recent security developments along India's northern borders. The Haryana administration's assurance of prompt action will be closely watched, particularly given the visibility of the political response from Srinagar.
What Happens Next
The Haryana Police are expected to take action against the identified perpetrators following the administration's assurances. The J&K government has said it is monitoring the situation closely. Both Abdullah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for accountability, and political pressure from Srinagar is likely to keep attention on how swiftly the Haryana government follows through on its commitments.
Point of View
Not just administrative assurances. Omar Abdullah's public call-out of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini by name on X is a deliberate escalation, designed to ensure accountability cannot be diffused into bureaucratic procedure. The Haryana government's response in the coming 48 hours will set the tone for whether this remains an isolated incident or becomes a flashpoint for broader anxieties about the safety of Kashmiri citizens travelling through north India. Notably, this is the kind of episode that can rapidly shift from a regional story to a national narrative if perpetrators are not visibly prosecuted.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the J&K-bound bus in Haryana?
A Delhi-Srinagar sleeper bus operated by Star World Ventures was attacked near Kurukshetra, Haryana, late on the night of 17 October. A group of attackers first assaulted the driver, then returned on motorcycles to pelt the bus with stones and bricks, injuring an elderly Kashmiri passenger and shattering windows. The attackers reportedly returned a third time, threatening that J&K-registered vehicles would not be allowed to operate in Haryana.
What did J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah say about the attack?
Omar Abdullah called the attack 'unfortunate' and said it should never have taken place. His office confirmed it had raised the matter directly with the Haryana government and that the Haryana administration had assured prompt and stringent action. Abdullah also personally called on Haryana CM Nayab Saini and Haryana Police to catch the culprits via a post on X.
Was anyone injured in the Kurukshetra bus attack?
According to reports, one elderly Kashmiri passenger was injured when attackers pelted the bus with stones and bricks. Several other passengers were reportedly traumatised by the incident, and some were briefly detained by police before being released.
What action has been taken after the Haryana bus attack?
The Haryana administration has reportedly assured the J&K government of prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law. The J&K government said it is closely monitoring the situation. No arrests had been publicly confirmed at the time of reporting.
Why did Mirwaiz Umar Farooq respond to the Haryana bus attack?
Senior religious leader and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was 'disturbed' by the attack and raised concern about broader reports of threats against J&K-registered vehicles, which he said were causing alarm among people in the region. He called on authorities to ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers and take swift legal action.
