In an embarrassing turn for the Jammu and Kashmir government, a bus transporting students evacuated from war-hit Iran has broken down five times en route to Srinagar. After an exhausting journey that ended in Delhi, the students are now stranded on the Pathankot highway for over two hours due to repeated mechanical failures.

The bus is carrying 14 girls who had already travelled more than 2,000 km by road in Iran. After reaching Delhi by flight, they were supposed to reach Kashmir safely. But the repeated breakdowns caused serious difficulties and distress.

Earlier, students who were evacuated from conflict-hit Iran had criticised the Jammu and Kashmir government for poor travel arrangements from Delhi to their hometowns. They, however, thanked the central government for the rescue operation.

Disappointed with the condition of the bus, the students said they had expected better treatment after going through days of fear and hardship in Iran. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association shared a video on X showing the condition of the bus.

“After enduring a harrowing four-day journey from Iran via Armenia and Doha, Kashmiri students have reached Delhi, only to be dumped in SRTC buses, unlike students from other states who were received with proper airport facilitation, care, and connecting flights home,” the association said.

In response to the backlash, the office of then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it had “taken note” of the students’ concerns and was working with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation to arrange “proper deluxe buses” for their journey.

The group of students had arrived in Delhi on a flight that carried 110 Indian students from Iran, with 90 of them belonging to Jammu and Kashmir. The flight transited via Armenia and Doha and faced delays before landing in Delhi.