JAMMU. Aug 7: Police this evening arrested one of three accused who were travelling in a Scorpio which jumped police naka prompting a cop to open gunfire at Kunfer area of Chanderkote in Ramban district.
Bearing registration No. 1743 JK02AK, the Scorpio vehicle carrying three persons evaded a security checkpoint in Kunfer area of Chanderkote in Ramban district at 3.30 am today.
Probationary Sub-Inspector Mohsin of Police Station Chanderkote, who was deployed as the in-charge of the Naka at Kunfer on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, informed authorities telephonically that an SUV had reached the naka from the JP Gate Link Road.
Police have ruled out any terror angle in the incident but said the arrested accused identified as Altaf Mohammad son of Barkat Ali, a resident of Krimchi in Udhampur district, is being subjected to sustained questioning while a hunt was on to nab the two remaining accused.
“The vehicle was signalled to stop for checking. However, despite repeated and clear signals, the driver deliberately ignored the naka, accelerated the vehicle, and attempted to run over the naka personnel with the intention of killing them,” the officials said.
They added that, sensing an imminent threat to the lives of the security personnel, the guard on duty, Constable Rasal Chand, fired three warning shots from his service rifle (Ghatak).
Despite strenuous efforts, the driver along with his associates managed to escape from the spot, they said adding that an FIR was registered and investigation was taken up.
During the course of investigation, they said that a massive manhunt involving Ramban Police, SOG Ramban, CRPF, and the Army was launched to trace out the vehicle and apprehend the accused persons.
The Investigating Officer, along with police personnel and other staff, visited the scene of occurrence and collected vital forensic evidence in the presence of senior officers.
During the search operation, Ramban Police, in coordination with other security forces, succeeded in apprehending one of the three accused, identified as Altaf Mohammad of Krimchi, Mansar, Udhampur.
The vehicle involved in the commission of the offence has also been recovered and seized and vital evidence was collected by the cops.
“Teams have been constituted to conduct manhunt for the other absconding accused and assistance from the Udhampur district has been sought for the same,” the officials said and added that no terror angle has surfaced during the investigation which is in progress.
