Spirit of India

On 11 June 2017, seven Hindu pilgrims were killed and 20 injured in a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir after their bus got caught in a crossfire. The bus was returning from the Amarnath Cave pilgrimage site in the Anantnag district when the attack took place. As a group of terrorists surrounded the bus with 61 pilgrim’s, Sheikh Saleem Gafoor Bhai, the driver from Gujrat kept driving. In inky darkness, he drove through the hail of bullets and didn't stop until he spotted an army camp.

The statement

"God gave me strength to keep moving, and I just did not stop. The firing went on and on, so I didn't stop. I kept driving," said Saleem, who is being lauded by many. Pilgrims on the bus were mainly from Gujarat and Maharashtra.

"My driver was so brave...he did not stop," said an injured woman at the Anantnag district hospital.

"There was firing from all three sides. Our driver managed to take the bus a few km ahead. He saved us," said another injured pilgrim.

Mr. Saleem's entire family supported him and mentioned that he had done the right thing. He gives full credit to his son who was with him during the incident.

Analysis

The attackers were Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. They had fired at an armoured police car and a security check-post before surrounding the pilgrims' bus.

Due to the security restrictions, the bus was not meant to be on the highway after 5 pm. But on account of a flat tyre the bus was delayed by more than two hours.

The Jammu and Kashmir government and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board or SASB separately announced rewards totalling Rs. 5 lakhs for Mr Saleem.

The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, which met under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, sanctioned a reward of Rs. 3 lakhs for his exemplary alertness and courage.

Governor NN Vohra, in his capacity as chairperson of the SASB, announced a reward of Rs. 2 lakhs for the driver. The Gujrat government will recommend his name for a national bravery award.

Assessment

Our assessment is that, the death toll would have been much higher if Mr. Saleem hadn’t shown exemplary courage and presence of mind. If he had stopped or panicked, more lives would have been lost. Even a shattered windshield didn't slow him down. This reaffirms that the idea of India goes way beyond sectarian or religious divides.