A private sleeper bus carrying passengers from Jammu and Kashmir was targeted with stones and bricks at a dhaba near Nilokheri late Saturday night. A video showing the damaged bus went viral on social media.No complaint was filed by any passenger, the bus driver or the conductor. However, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident on X and urged the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, to take action against those involved.Karnal police took cognisance of the matter and registered a case on the complaint of the dhaba manager. Two occupants of a car, who allegedly pelted the bus with stones and bricks, have been arrested, and an investigation is under way.“This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government led by @NayabSainiBJP ji and @police_haryana catch the culprits and take action to ensure these things don’t happen again,” Abdullah posted on X.This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana government lead by @NayabSainiBJP ji & @police_haryana catch the culprits & take action to ensure these things don’t happen again.— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 18, 2026National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar termed the incident a hate crime.“Stones and bricks pelted on Kashmir bus (JK number) on the Delhi-Srinagar route near Kurukshetra, Haryana, in an alleged hate crime. One elderly Kashmiri man was injured in the attack. Families left helpless and terrified. We condemn the murderous attack on innocent people and demand action against the perpetrators. Requesting @police_haryana to take cognizance of the event, identify the culprits and take action,” Dar posted on X.Stones and bricks pelted on Kashmir bus (JK number), on Delhi to Srinagar route, near Kurukshetra Haryana in an alleged hate crime.One elderly Kashmiri man injured in the attack, families left helpless and terrified.We condemn the murderous attack on innocent people and demand action against the perpetrators.Requesting @police_haryana to take cogzinace of the event, identify the culprits and take action. https://t.co/GwdnDBnqbt— Imran Nabi Dar (@ImranNDar) October 18, 2026Police, however, maintained that the incident stemmed from a roadside argument and denied any hate crime angle.Karnal Superintendent of Police (SP) Karan Goel, who reached the spot and took stock of the situation, said the police received information at around 10 pm about an altercation between the drivers of a bus and a car near Divine Star Dhaba.A police team reached the spot and found the bus’s windowpanes damaged. The occupants of a white Maruti Baleno, identified as Mohit and Sawan, were present and were immediately detained.“Preliminary inquiries by the Karnal police team revealed that a verbal spat took place between the drivers in the parking lot of the dhaba over parking. The argument escalated, during which the accused damaged the glasses of the bus and one of the passengers was injured,” SP Goel said.“No formal complaint was filed by bus driver, conductor and any passenger. The bus later proceeded towards Srinagar. On a complaint submitted by the manager of Divine Star Dhaba, an FIR was registered at Butana police station.“Both accused have been arrested and the car involved has been taken into custody. Further action is under way as per law,” he added.SP Goel reiterated that the incident stemmed from a spontaneous dispute over parking between the drivers and contained no element of a hate crime. He urged the public not to pay heed to rumours circulating on social media.“Karnal police remain committed to maintaining law and order and providing safety to all citizens,” he said.The two arrested accused in the custody of Butana police on Jattvibeday.