Jammu, Aug 7 (PTI): An SUV evaded a security checkpoint on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district early Friday, prompting police personnel to fire three warning shots before the occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled, officials said.
Following a massive search operation, one of them was arrested, they said.
The incident occurred around 4 am when a black Scorpio bearing registration number JK02AK-1743 was approaching the Chanderkote security checkpoint from Srinagar towards Jammu, officials said.
Police personnel signalled the vehicle to stop, but the driver accelerated towards the checkpoint instead of complying, posing a serious threat to the security personnel on duty, they said.
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Arun Gupta said the Chanderkote police station had received information about the approaching Scorpio shortly before the incident.
“When signalled to stop, the driver accelerated instead, ignoring the warning and speeding towards the checkpoint. The vehicle was moving at such a high speed that, had it hit any personnel present, it would have posed a definite threat to life,” Gupta said.
Sensing the danger, Constable Rasal Chand, who was part of the police guard deployed at the checkpoint, fired three warning shots from his service rifle, the SSP said.
“Despite this, the driver and his associates managed to flee the scene with the vehicle,” he added.
An FIR was immediately registered at Chanderkote police station, and a massive manhunt involving Ramban Police, the Special Operations Group, the CRPF and the Army was launched to trace the vehicle and apprehend those involved, Gupta said.
During the search operation, the Scorpio was found abandoned near Dalwas, the SSP said.
He said one of the accused, identified as Altaf Mohammad, a resident of Udhampur district, was apprehended during the operation, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects.
The District Forensic Mobile Unit collected forensic evidence from the recovered vehicle. The investigation is in progress to ascertain the circumstances under which the vehicle breached the security checkpoint and the motive behind the incident, Gupta said.
Security forces have intensified searches in the area as the investigation continues, officials added. PTI AB AB RUK RUK
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