1986 Muktsar bus massacre

The 1986 Muktsar bus massacre was a violent incident that occurred on September 21, 1986, in Muktsar, Punjab, India. During the event, armed militants intercepted a bus carrying Hindu passengers and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of 35 individuals and injuring several others. This attack was indicative of the broader Punjab insurgency, a period marked by significant sectarian violence between Sikh militants and Indian state forces. The massacre profoundly impacted communal relations in the region, escalating tensions and prompting increased security measures. It remains a notable event in the history of post-independence India, reflective of the complexities arising from religious and political conflicts in the area.