Basti: Uttar Pradesh witnessed a chilling case of road rage on a national highway after a young biker allegedly opened fire at a running passenger bus when the driver refused to give way, sending shockwaves among commuters and raising fresh questions over public safety.
The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Ghaghau area under Chhavani police station jurisdiction on the Ayodhya Highway. According to police officials, the bus was travelling amid dense traffic when two youths riding a Bullet motorcycle attempted to overtake it near an under-construction ring road.
Due to congestion on the stretch, the bus driver was unable to slow down or move aside. This reportedly enraged the biker, who began arguing aggressively with the driver. Eyewitnesses said the motorcycle rider blocked the bus, walked alongside it while shouting threats, and suddenly pulled out a country-made pistol.
Within moments, the youth allegedly fired a shot at the bus. The bullet struck the glass panel near the door, narrowly missing the driver and passengers. Panic broke out inside the vehicle as people screamed and ducked for cover.
The bus driver, Anand, later said he believed the attacker was aiming directly at him, but the shot missed its target. Passengers attempted to chase the accused, but both men fled the scene on the motorcycle.
The bus was reportedly carrying family members transporting the mortal remains of 68-year-old Parshuram Upadhyay to Ayodhya for cremation, making the incident even more distressing for those on board.
A video of the firing has since gone viral on social media, clearly showing the youth opening fire at the moving bus. Police have launched a manhunt to identify and arrest the accused.
The incident also sparked political reactions. The Aam Aadmi Party shared the video online and slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the law-and-order situation, questioning how such a brazen act could occur in broad daylight and whether authorities would dismiss the footage as artificial or manipulated.
