Nepal Protests: Bus Carrying Indian Pilgrims Attacked Near Kathmandu

For a group of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, a spiritual journey to the revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu turned into an ordeal they will not forget anytime soon. Their bus, packed with devotees returning home, became the target of a violent mob on Thursday morning amid Nepal’s simmering political crisis. What began as prayers and blessings ended with shattered windows, stolen belongings, and shaken spirits.

Attack On The Road

According to police reports, the bus, bearing an Uttar Pradesh registration number, was attacked as it made its way towards the Indian border. Stones rained down on the vehicle, smashing glass panes and sending passengers ducking for cover. In the chaos, assailants forced their way in, looting bags, mobile phones, and cash. At least seven to eight passengers sustained injuries before Nepalese army personnel stepped in to provide relief.

The driver, Raj from Andhra Pradesh, recalled the terrifying moments as the mob surrounded the bus. “They broke all the glass panes with stones and looted our belongings,” he said after the battered vehicle finally reached the Sonauli border in Uttar Pradesh. For many pilgrims, the journey of faith had turned into a journey of survival.

Shyamu Nishad, a staffer on the bus, confirmed that help eventually arrived. “The Indian government later arranged for all stranded passengers to be airlifted from Kathmandu to Delhi,” he told TOI.

Borders On Edge

The violence in Nepal has reverberated across the frontier, prompting Indian authorities to heighten security in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Border districts remain on high alert, with checks in place to prevent illegal crossings or opportunistic violence spilling into India. Only Nepalese citizens verified by both governments are being allowed to move across the frontier. At the Khunwa border in UP’s Siddharthnagar, even Nepali nationals attempting to buy essential supplies in India were turned back, underscoring the rising tension.

The unrest has disrupted not only pilgrims but also regular travel and trade. The Delhi-Kathmandu Maitri Bus Sewa, run by the Delhi Transport Corporation, has been halted mid-route. Covering 1,167 kilometres and usually operating six days a week, the service has become yet another casualty of the turmoil. Meanwhile, the movement of goods is under strain. Trucks carrying petroleum and perishable items have crossed at some checkpoints, but shortages in Nepal remain acute.

Crisis In Nepal

The pilgrims’ ordeal is only one strand of a much larger crisis. Protests erupted across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj on September 8 after the Nepalese government announced a sweeping ban on major social media platforms, citing tax and cybersecurity concerns. Demonstrators see it instead as a blatant attempt to curb free speech.

Public anger has deepened further with revelations of political dynasties flaunting their privilege online, fuelling the so-called “Nepo Babies” debate and widening resentment against systemic corruption and elitism. Within days, the streets turned violent. Party offices were vandalised, curfews imposed, and in some cases, buildings like the Hilton Kathmandu set ablaze, reduced from a symbol of aspiration to charred rubble overnight.

The cost has been devastating: at least 30 people killed, over a thousand injured, and the resignation of key political figures, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

As Nepal struggles to steady itself, its people and its neighbours alike are caught in the ripple effect. For the Indian pilgrims who had only sought blessings at one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines, the turbulence became deeply personal; a reminder of how swiftly unrest can turn even sacred journeys into trials by fire.

Travel Advisory

The Government of India has advised citizens to postpone all non-essential travel to Nepal until the situation normalises. Those currently in the country have been urged to remain indoors, avoid public gatherings or protest sites, and exercise maximum caution. To assist those stranded, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has arranged special evacuation flights. Air India and IndiGo are operating additional services between Delhi and Kathmandu, following the reopening of Tribhuvan International Airport, to bring back Indian nationals stuck in the Nepalese capital. Airlines have also been directed to keep fares at reasonable levels.

FAQs | Nepal Protests

1. What triggered the unrest in Nepal?

The protests began after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, which many saw as an attack on free speech, and quickly grew into a wider movement against corruption and political elitism.

2. Were Indian tourists directly affected?

Yes. A bus carrying pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh was attacked near Kathmandu, leaving several injured and their belongings looted.

3. How is the Indian government responding?

Authorities arranged for stranded citizens to be airlifted from Kathmandu to Delhi and heightened security across border states like UP, Bihar, and West Bengal.

4. Is it safe to travel to Nepal right now?

No. The Indian government has advised citizens to defer travel to Nepal until stability returns, and urged those in the country to stay indoors and avoid public gatherings.

5. Are trade and transport services impacted?

Yes. The Delhi-Kathmandu Maitri Bus service has been suspended, and while some goods trucks have crossed into Nepal, shortages remain across essential supplies.

6. Have flights between India and Nepal resumed?

Yes. After the temporary closure of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, operations have restarted. Air India and IndiGo are running additional flights from Delhi to Kathmandu to evacuate stranded passengers, alongside regular scheduled services.

(With inputs from multiple news reports)