The number of lives lost in the ghastly terror attack on pilgrims returning from the Amarnath Yatra on 10 July could have been more, had the man who was driving the bus not thought on his feet.
Saleem, the bus driver, did not stop the bus and rushed it away while gunmen were firing at the pilgrims, claiming the lives of seven pilgrims and injuring several.
The Man Who Saved Many Lives
Commenting on the ordeal, Saleem said: “God gave me strength to keep moving, and I just did not stop.” The first bullet reportedly flew over Salim’s head and hit a passenger. “The tyre burst, but I had no second thoughts in speeding away,” he added.
He (Saleem) called me up around 9:30 pm informing me about firing on the vehicle. He told me that he did not stop when the terrorists fired, and looked for a safer spot for pilgrims. He couldn’t save seven lives, but managed to move 50 people to a safe place; proud of him.Javed Mirza, Saleem’s Cousin
The injured passengers in the bus said that Saleem’s quick thinking saved many lives, reported BBC Hindi. One of the passengers said:
The driver was smart, he did not stop the bus and kept racing away. This saved many lives.
Bravery Awards For Saleem
Appreciating his bravery, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a reward worth Rs 3 lakh for him. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that he would nominate Saleem’s name for a bravery award.
I want to thank the bus driver for saving lives of people even when there was firing going on. I will nominate his name for the bravery award.Vijay Rupani, Gujarat Chief Minister
The Ghastly Attack
In a rare attack on the Amarnath Yatra, terrorists killed seven pilgrims and injured 19 others, including policemen, when they struck at a bus carrying them in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantang district on Monday. Of those killed, five were from Gujarat and two from Maharashtra.
Police sources said the bus was without police escort. The attack is believed to be the worst of its kind on the annual pilgrimage since 2000.
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?
Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)