Amarnath attack: Rupani hails bus driver Salim, to nominate him for bravery award

AHMEDABAD: Sheikh Salim Gafoor, driver of the Amarnath bus that was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, showed exemplary courage and presence of mind while driving through the bullets and saved lives of over 50 pilgrims. The 'hero' driver has been hailed as an example of humanity across the country. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said he will nominate Salim's name for a bravery award. "We want to thank the bus driver who saved many lives amid heavy firing. The Gujarat government will nominate Salim for the bravery award with the central government," Rupani told the media at the airport where he had come to receive the remains of the pilgrims. Seven people were killed and 19 others injured on Monday evening when militants opened fire at the bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. Salim told reporters that God gave him the strength to keep driving despite the firing. "Firing was going on from all sides, so I kept driving and did not stop," he said. "God gave me the strength to keep moving... I just did not stop anywhere." Speaking on the incident, Salim’s brother Javed said, “While we were on our way to Amarnath, a bunch of blindly opened fire on my bus”. He further said that, “My brother told me that In spite of heavy firing, he didn’t stop the bus anywhere and kept driving even though there was very slight visibility and ensured that he stopped the vehicle only after reaching a safe place”. As per Javed, his brother then reported the matter by placing several phone calls. Salim’s brother further added saying, “terror has no religion, as before shooting at the driver (his brother) the terrorists didn’t see they were firing at a Muslim”. Not just his brother, one of the survivors of the terror attack spoke to ABP News and lauded the heroic driver saying, “the driver kept driving even though a heavy firing disrupted his view and vision and he stopped only after reaching a safe place. (With inputs from IANS)