The Muslim driver of the Amarnath Yatra bus, which was attacked by terrorists in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on July 10, has been conferred bravery award by the J&K Government.
The driver of the bus, Sheikh Saleem Gafoor from Valsad in Gujarat, showed exemplary bravery after he drove the bus even after terrorists were raining bullets on the vehicle. Eight yatris were killed and 19 others were injured in the attack on the bus. Police claimed lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) outfit was behind the attack and named Abu Ismail, a Pakistani national as masterminding the attack with help from local overground workers who have been arrested.
Sheikh was awarded rupees
Rs 1 lakh under Chief Minister’s Special Award of bravery on the eve of Independence Day. Earlier, Governor NN Vohra, who is also chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), announced a special reward of Rs 2 lakh to the bus driver.