Amarnath Attack: Driver Who Saved Many Nominated For Bravery Award

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.

Also Read: Live | LeT Blamed For Amarnath Attack, Yatra Resumes as Planned

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.

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