Stone Attack on Jammu-Kashmir-Bound Bus in Haryana Sparks Political and Police Responses

Around 11.30 p.m. on October 17, 2026, a private 40-seat sleeper bus from Delhi to Srinagar stopped at the Divine Star Dhaba in Nilokheri, Karnal district, Haryana. Driver Waqar said a group of men objected to the vehicle’s Jammu-and-Kashmir registration, shouted “Atankwadi gaadi nikal yahan se,” smashed the front windshield, broke the number plates and hurled stones and bricks. An elderly passenger and a dhaba employee were injured; the bus’s windows and seats were damaged. Police later arrested two men, Mohit and Sawan, for questioning.

2 men call driver terrorist, attack Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana; detained Hindustan Times2 injured after stones thrown at J&K-bound bus in Haryana’s Karnal, 2 held The HinduJammu and Kashmir-registered bus attacked with bricks in Haryana, passengers allege being called ‘terrorists’ Deccan Chronicle

• Oct 17, 2026 (night) – Bus stopped; stone-throwing attack; injuries reported.

2 men call driver terrorist, attack Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana; detained

• Oct 17, 2026 (later night) – FIR registered at Butana police station after the dhaba manager’s complaint.

2 injured after stones thrown at J&K-bound bus in Haryana’s Karnal, 2 held

• Oct 18, 2026 – J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised the matter with the Haryana government; Haryana officials promised “prompt and stringent action.”

Hindustan Times

• Oct 18, 2026 – Political parties (J&K BJP, Awami Ittehad Party, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq) condemned the incident; police reiterated that it stemmed from a parking dispute, not a hate crime.

The Hindu

• Bus capacity: 40 seats; driver reported 35 passengers.

ANI News

• Injured: one elderly passenger and one dhaba employee.

ThePrint

• Arrests: Mohit and Sawan, residents of Karnal.

2 injured after stones thrown at J&K-bound bus in Haryana’s Karnal, 2 held

• Damage: shattered windows, broken front and rear number plates, interior seat damage.

Jammu and Kashmir-registered bus attacked with bricks in Haryana, passengers allege being called ‘terrorists’

Awami Ittehad Party spokesperson Inam Nabi wrote to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini demanding an FIR, arrests and compensation.

The Hindu

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed concern over the elderly passenger’s injury and urged safety for Kashmiri travellers.

Deccan Chronicle

Inspector General of Police (Karnal Range) Ashwin Shenvi said the incident originated from a parking dispute, warned against rumors on social media, noted alcohol consumption by both sides and said the investigation was ongoing.

2 injured after stones thrown at J&K-bound bus in Haryana’s Karnal, 2 held

• “They kept threatening us, saying, ‘We will shoot you, we will set the vehicle on fire, we will kill you.’ We want justice. Such acts of hooliganism must stop. We all have to use the roads. Vehicles from their side also travel to our region, and such behaviour only creates a hostile environment on both sides,” — Waqar, bus driver

Hindustan Times

• “This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government led by Nayab Saini and Haryana Police catch the culprits and take action to ensure these things don’t happen again,” — Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

2 men call driver terrorist, attack Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana; detained