Kashmir: the Bus diplomacy challenged but peace process well established
Sudhir Chadda
Apr. 6, 2005

The Jihadists did what they could do. Now it is time to move forward with the Bus service and let the people of Kashmir enjoy the peace and prosperity the rest of India enjoys.

According to media reports, Gun-toting Islamic rebels on Wednesday stormed and torched a complex sheltering passengers due to travel on a path-breaking bus ride between divided Indian and Pakistani Kashmir.

Terrified people, including women and children, hurled themselves through ground floor windows as fire engulfed the heavily fortified complex in Srinagar, flames leaping high into the air and thick black smoke blanketing the city center. India's home ministry said both suicide attackers had been "liquidated" in the raid.

In a statement it said six people, including a policeman, had been hurt, none critically. All of the two dozen passengers due to take Thursday's inaugural run to Pakistani Kashmir -- most of whom were living in separate buildings at the rear of the complex because of earlier threats -- escaped unharmed.

"God! Please don’t let anyone else see such a horrible day!" wailed one distraught survivor as he ran away crying.

A policeman shot in the arm cried, "Please save me! Save me!" to colleagues as he lay on the ground outside, opposite a mosque and a popular park.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was due to flag off the bus on Thursday morning. The government said he still would along with ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi. Pakistan, condemning the attack, said its service would also go ahead.

Four militant groups who had pledged to turn the first trans-Kashmir bus in half a century -- seen as an emotional symbol of warming ties -- into a coffin, told newspaper offices they had ordered the suicide raid.

But all said and done, the peace process has been established and is on its way for a total success.

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