Srinagar: The State government has announced a “special award” of Rs one lakh on Independence Day to Sheikh Salim Gafoor, a driver from Gujarat for displaying exemplary “bravery, courage and alertness” amid firing on his bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims at Batengo Anantnag in south Kashmir last month.
The attack on the bus on July 10 would have resulted in loss of more lives had it not been for the bravery and alertness shown by Gafoor amid indiscriminate firing by attackers who police said were militants.
Realising that stopping the bus will have dangerous consequences; Gafoor drove for nearly two kilometres on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway before he reached to safety.
The special award is besides the reward of Rs 3 lakhs to Gafoor which the state government announced soon after the attack. The attack on the bus with 56 passengers aboard left at least seven pilgrims dead.
ADVERTISEMENT
