1987 Fatehabad bus massacre

The Fatehabad bus massacre refers to a tragic incident that occurred on December 21, 1987, in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India, during a period of heightened ethnic and communal tensions. This violent event involved the killing of 17 individuals, primarily belonging to the Sikh community, by armed assailants aboard a public bus. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the attackers, reportedly linked to extremist factions, forced their way into the vehicle, targeting passengers indiscriminately. The massacre highlighted the severe social and political strife in India during the late 1980s, particularly relating to the insurgency in Punjab and anti-Sikh sentiments. The incident prompted widespread condemnation and calls for justice, further intensifying debates on law enforcement and communal harmony in the region.