RAMBAN, JAMMU & KASHMIR — Police personnel opened fire on a SUV on Friday morning after the vehicle breached a security checkpoint on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident occurred at around 3:30 AM in the Chanderkote area when a Mahindra Scorpio, bearing registration number JK02AK-1743, was signaled to halt by security personnel deployed at a routine vehicular check post. Instead of stopping, the driver accelerated and sped through the blockade.
In response to the evasion, police personnel discharged several rounds targeting the fleeing vehicle. Following a swift alert across the security network, the SUV was chased down and intercepted at Dhalwas, a few kilometers ahead towards Jammu.
"Police fired a few rounds after the vehicle jumped the signal and sped away. It was eventually stopped at Dhalwas, and the driver was immediately taken into custody for questioning," a senior police official confirmed.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver was allegedly involved in the illegal transport and smuggling of contraband. Authorities stated that a comprehensive interrogation is currently underway to ascertain the exact nature of the illicit material and uncover any potential network connections.
The security breach comes at a time when security protocols along the 270-kilometer Jammu-Srinagar National Highway are operating at peak vigilance due to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. Under strict safety measures for the pilgrimage, non-yatra vehicular movement is restricted during convoy passes. Security arrangements across the Union Territory have been further fortified ahead of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.
