Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday, 18 October 2026, responded to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over an alleged stone-pelting incident involving a Jammu and Kashmir-registered bus travelling on the Delhi-Srinagar route near Kurukshetra, Haryana. Saini confirmed that two accused persons had been arrested following a prompt police investigation, and assured that the safety of all visitors to Haryana remained the state government's top priority.

What Triggered the Exchange

The inter-state exchange was set off after Abdullah reposted on social media platform X a report alleging that stones and bricks were hurled at the Kashmir-bound bus near Kurukshetra in what was described as a suspected hate crime. Abdullah urged the Haryana government and police to take strict action against those responsible.

'This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government led by Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana Police catch the culprits and take action to ensure these things don't happen again,' Abdullah said on X.

What Haryana Police Found

Chief Minister Saini, responding directly on X, said the police investigation had revealed that the incident stemmed from a parking dispute between two vehicle drivers — not a hate crime as alleged in the circulating social media post. An FIR has been registered and both accused have been arrested, Saini confirmed.

'The police investigation has revealed that the altercation was merely a parking dispute between two vehicle drivers. An FIR has been registered in the matter and both accused have been arrested,' Saini stated on X, adding that further legal proceedings were underway.

JKNC Condemns the Incident, Demands Action

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar also condemned the incident on X, noting that one elderly Kashmiri man was injured during the attack. Dar called for Haryana Police to identify those responsible and initiate appropriate legal action.

'One elderly Kashmiri man was injured in the attack, leaving families helpless and terrified. We condemn the murderous attack on innocent people and demand action against the perpetrators,' Dar said on X.

Context and Broader Implications

The incident has drawn attention against the backdrop of ongoing sensitivities around inter-state travel for Kashmiri residents. Notably, social media posts alleging hate-motivated attacks on Kashmiri travellers have periodically surfaced in recent years, making the characterisation of the trigger — hate crime versus parking dispute — particularly consequential. This comes amid heightened political scrutiny of law-and-order responses in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) whenever incidents involving Kashmiri citizens are reported.

Haryana Police's swift arrest of the two accused and Saini's direct, public assurance to Abdullah represent an attempt to defuse the incident before it escalates into a larger political flashpoint. Further legal proceedings in the case are underway.