MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan administered Kashmir — On the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, a public transport driver in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, drove his passenger coaster into the Jhelum River in an apparent act of desperation after an altercation with traffic police—an incident that has sparked angry protests across the city.
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What Happened
The coaster, operating on the Rawalpindi-Muzaffarabad route, was stopped at Chhattar Chowk by Muzaffarabad Traffic Police over a route permit violation. Officials demanded documents and imposed a PKR 5,000 fine.
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports, the driver pleaded emotionally with the officers, saying he now faced a choice between paying the penalty or buying Eid gifts for his children. A verbal argument ensued. Police confiscated the vehicle’s documents but allowed the driver to first drop his passengers at the main bus terminal, on the condition that he return immediately.
Upon his return to Chhattar Chowk, the situation escalated. Police ordered an official to escort the coaster to the police station. It is alleged that during this process, the traffic official slapped and physically mistreated the driver.
The Plunge
In a moment of extreme emotional distress, the driver sped the vehicle toward the riverbank, directly in front of the Supreme Court VIP gate, and drove it into the Jhelum River. The traffic police official inside the vehicle narrowly escaped by jumping out moments before impact. The driver also leaped from the vehicle but sustained injuries.
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Rescue 1122 Muzaffarabad teams responded quickly, pulling the injured driver from the river and transferring him to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Muzaffarabad for medical treatment.
Public Outrage and Protests
News of the incident spread rapidly, triggering strong public condemnation. Large crowds gathered at Chhattar Chowk and surrounding areas, protesting what they describe as routine harassment and heavy-handed tactics by traffic police. The protests continued late into the night, with demonstrators demanding accountability and a formal inquiry into the conduct of the officials involved.
Context for Readers
Muzaffarabad serves as the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the territory administered by Pakistan, and sits at the confluence of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers. The region, claimed by both Pakistan and India, has been at the centre of the decades-old Kashmir conflict. While politically sensitive, cities like Muzaffarabad also experience the everyday governance and policing challenges seen across South Asia—where power imbalances between state officials and working-class citizens often lead to tragic outcomes.
What Comes Next
No official statement has yet been issued by the Muzaffarabad Traffic Police or the AJK administration. However, public pressure is mounting for a transparent investigation into both the route permit dispute and the alleged physical assault that preceded the driver’s desperate act.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
