Delhi: Driver Saleem Mirza has been appreciated countrywide for his courage. He had kept driving the bus which carried the Amarnath pilgrims despite bullets fired at them at Anantnag. The J&K government and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) have announced rewards totalling Rs five lakh for Saleem Mirza.
According to a report of HT, the state government has announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs six lakh each to the kin of those killed, Rs two lakh for those seriously injured and Rs one lakh for those with minor injuries, an official spokesman said.
The state cabinet, under the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, sanctioned a reward of Rs three lakh in favour of Saleem Mirza for exemplary alertness and courage during the incident.
Additionally, Governor N N Vohra, chairman of SASB, announced a special reward of Rs 2 lakh to the driver for his alertness and saving lives, the spokesman said.
Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others were injured in an attack by terrorists, who had fired at their bus while it was heading towards Jammu from Srinagar.
Saleem kept the bus going even when he was under heavy fire from the front and the windscreen had been shattered.