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Hero behind the wheel: Muslim driver's courage saves many lives

Sheikh Saleem Gafoor Bhai drove on for more than two kilometres in inky darkness and through a hail of bullets. He stopped only when he spotted a military check post

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Sheikh Saleem Gafoor Bhai of Gujarat's Valsad has emerged as an unlikely hero and a symbol of communal harmony in Monday's terror attack.

He showed exemplary bravery, did not panic and drove the bus, carrying 61 Amarnath pilgrims, to safety. Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 wounded in the attack. But for him, the toll would have been much higher.

He drove on for more than two kilometres in inky darkness and through a hail of bullets. He stopped only when he spotted a military check post.

"God gave me strength to save their lives. I am proud to have been able to save lives," said Saleem who showed presence of mind despite being fired upon by the terrorists.

The J&K government announced a reward of Rs three lakh in recognition of his courage in the face of terror. The Amarnath Shrine Board also announced an award of Rs 2 lakh.

The passengers also could not stop hailing him for saving them from near-death. "Had he not been there, we all would have died," said an injured pilgrim at an Anantnag hospital.

"His act is also a symbol of communal harmony. Not only just him, even local Muslims came forward and offered food and blood to the injured," said J&K Minister Naeem Akthar.

Saleem has been a driver for 20 years now. This is the 14th year of Amarnath Yatra for the class 9 dropout. Asked if he would return to Amarnath, he said, "I shall go again. I have faith in my God."

He was driving to Jammu from Srinagar after getting a punctured tyre mended. The bus had been delayed by 3 hours. Other buses and accompanying security vehicles had moved on.

He had driven around 90 km when the firing on the bus began on the Srinagar-Jammu highway. "They fired indiscriminately on the bus from the front side. I did not stop and continued driving ahead," he said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said he would recommend Saleem and tour organiser Harsh Desai to the Centre for bravery awards. "I salute them... I would like to thank them for the way they saved the lives of pilgrims amidst the firing. Had they stopped, many more might have been killed," Rupani said.

Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, however, blamed Saleem for the attack. He said in Mumbai that Saleem took the bus on a route which was not stipulated for pilgrims.

Saleem denied this and said that if he had taken a wrong route, the bus would not have been allowed to proceed. "We would have even got security but for the delay caused by the flat tyre," he said.

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