In a horrific incident, a 29-year-old Indian-origin bus driver was burned to death on Friday when a man poured flammable liquid on him in front of several shocked passengers in Brisbane, Australia, police said.
Manmeet Alisher, a well-known singer in the Punjabi community, was driving a Brisbane City Council bus when he was targeted by the man who threw an "incendiary device" at him which sparked a fire.
Alisher died on the spot while several passengers onboard the bus at the time managed to escape through the rear door, police in Brisbane said.
Six persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries, they said.
Police said there was "no apparent motive" including terror or race related. A 48-year-old man has been taken into custody over the incident. Detectives from South Brisbane district and the state crime command's homicide group have commenced a homicide investigation, Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said.
Flags will be flown at half mast across Brisbane tomorrow as a mark of respect for the Alisher.
Stewart ruled out any possibilities of the attack being a racially motivated one, saying there was no such indication.
There is no evidence at this time of any linkage to terrorist-type activities and certainly that has not become evident through the ongoing investigations that have occurred. We do not believe there is any evidence at this stage linking this to a racial complaint or concern by either of the people involved.Ian Stewart
The Punjabi community in Brisbane expressed shock over the death of Manmeet Alisher, also known as Manmeet Sharma.
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