NEW DELHI: A Muslim bus driver who exhibited exemplary courage and presence of mind when terrorists attacked a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims last year, has been honoured with the second highest gallantry award for civilians.Sheikh Salim Gafur from Gujarat , whose daring act saved the lives of 52 passengers, was honoured with the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak approved on Republic Day eve by President Ram Nath Kovind for conferment.On July 10, 2017, a bus carrying 69 pilgrims who were returning from Amarnath Yatra was attacked by terrorists at Batengoo in Anantnag . The terrorists opened fire on the bus killing eight passengers on the spot and injuring several others. However, Gafur kept driving the bus amid the indiscriminate firing. He took the bus far away from the attack site to a spot near a security post, saving lives of the remaining 52 passengers.Gafur resides in Valsad district of Gujarat.A total of 44 civilians were cleared for Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards 2017, which include 7 Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak(all posthumous), 13 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and 24 Jeevan Raksha Padak.While Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak awardee receives citation and cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for an act of bravery during which he/she has put his/her life at great risk, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak fetches a Rs 60,000 reward for one who saves the life of another person, risking grievous injury or physical handicap. Jeevan Raksha Padak entails a cash reward of Rs 40,000 for an act of bravery that involves risk of serious injury.