Adramatic incident on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) early on Friday triggered a massive security response in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district.
A suspected Scorpio SUV broke through a security checkpoint and fled, forcing police to open fire before launching a large-scale search operation in a nearby forest.
The case took an unexpected turn after police searched the abandoned vehicle and recovered evidence that pointed towards a possible cattle smuggling operation. According to officials, the incident took place at around 3:30 am.
A white Scorpio SUV bearing registration number JK02AK-1743 was travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu. Security personnel stationed at a checkpoint in the Chanderkote area signalled the vehicle to stop.
Instead of stopping, the driver sped away and headed towards Nashri. Police fired three rounds, both in the air and at the vehicle, in an attempt to stop it. The driver, however, managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Scorpio Found Abandoned 8 km Inside Village
An alert was issued across NH-44 soon after, and a massive search was launched. The Scorpio was later found abandoned on a link road in Paparian village, around 8-9 kilometres away from the highway.
Officials suspect that the three occupants abandoned the SUV and fled into the dense forests of Paparia Pira. They disappeared in the darkness before security personnel could catch them.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and the Army later launched a joint search operation. The area was cordoned off. Drones and sniffer dogs have also been deployed to trace the suspects.
Cow Dung Found Inside Vehicle
The investigation took a new turn after police examined the abandoned SUV. Officials found that the rear seats had been completely removed. Cow dung was found on the floor of the vehicle, and there was a strong smell inside.
The discovery has raised suspicion that the Scorpio had been modified for cattle smuggling. Investigators believe the rear seats were removed to transport cattle inside the SUV while making it appear like an ordinary family vehicle from the outside.
Police Investigating All Angles
Despite the suspicion of cattle smuggling, police are not ruling out any possibility. Since the vehicle breached a security checkpoint in a sensitive region, investigators are examining every angle.
Police are trying to establish whether cattle were being transported in the SUV and later released in the forest, or whether they were unloaded somewhere while the suspects were fleeing. Investigators are also probing whether the vehicle was being used as a cover for some other illegal activity. Police have started questioning people in nearby villages and are trying to trace the owner of the Scorpio.