Watch Ashok Leyland bus in Dubai withstands missile hit: Netizens say Khamenei should have trusted bus instead of Chinese bunkers

In a bizarre twist amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, an Indian-made Ashok Leyland bus has become an unlikely hero on social media. Parked on a Dubai road, the vehicle took a direct hit from debris of an Iranian missile during yesterday’s retaliatory strikes on Israel and Gulf states. Yet, it stood tall with just shattered windows and a dented rear, no fire, no explosion, and certainly no surrender. Videos of the resilient bus are going viral, sparking a wave of pride among Indians and hilarious memes targeting Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The incident unfolded on March 1, when Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones in response to joint US-Israeli strikes that killed Khamenei and targeted key Iranian sites.

The UAE’s air defenses intercepted most of the incoming threats, but falling debris caused chaos across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, damaging landmarks like the Burj Al Arab hotel, the international airport, and even residential areas.

Eyewitness footage circulating online shows the aftermath: chunks of twisted metal scattered on the asphalt, some still smoldering, with workers in vests inspecting the site. The star of the show? A white Ashok Leyland Oyster bus, its back end gashed open but the frame holding firm. “Missile debris fell on Dubai road,” reads the caption in the clip.

However, no passengers were aboard at the time. Social media users were quick to respond to the viral video. One post quipped, “Had Khamenei known earlier, he would have been alive today if he had hidden himself inside Ashok Leyland bus but he trusted Chinese tech bunkers and he is not more.”

Another chimed in, “Ashok Leyland has plied on Indian roads for 50 years, Iranian missile is a jujube for it.”
And then there’s this gem: “Why waste weapons? Just send Ashok Leyland buses, reusable, repairable, and road-tested for war conditions .”
Others highlighted the “Made in India” angle. “An Iranian missile hit an Ashok Leyland bus in Dubai. And guess what? No major damage. This is Indian engineering. This is Ashok Leyland strength. While the world talks about destruction, India silently proves its manufacturing power,” wrote one user.
Ashok Leyland, a Chennai-based heavyweight in India’s commercial vehicle sector, has long been known for its rugged designs suited to tough terrains. The company exports buses to the UAE, where they’re a common sight for worker transport. This unintended “stress test” might just be the best publicity they could have ever thought.