Dung found in SUV after naka breach in Ramban, suspected bovine smuggling angle emerges

BANIHAL, Aug 7: A suspected bovine smuggling angle has emerged in the case of a Scorpio that allegedly breached a security checkpoint on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban early Friday, with police recovering dung from inside the vehicle after its three occupants fled into a nearby forest.

A massive joint search operation involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and Army is underway to trace the three unidentified men who abandoned the vehicle in Paprian area of Ramban after allegedly fleeing from a security naka at Chanderkote.

Officials said the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. when the Scorpio, bearing registration number JK02AK-1743, was travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu and allegedly failed to stop at a security checkpoint at Chanderkote on NH-44.

When police signalled the vehicle to stop, its driver allegedly accelerated and fled towards the Nashri side. Security personnel fired three rounds at the vehicle during the pursuit, officials said.

The Scorpio was later traced in Paprian village, around 8-9 kilometres from NH-44 along a link road and falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Chanderkote.

The three occupants reportedly abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the adjoining Papria Peera forest, prompting security forces to launch a search operation in the area.

During a detailed inspection of the seized vehicle, investigators found that its rear seats had been removed and dung was recovered from inside, raising suspicion that the Scorpio may have been modified and used for the illegal transportation or smuggling of bovines along NH-44.

The vehicle also bore three bullet marks, believed to have been caused when police opened fire after it allegedly failed to stop at the Chanderkote checkpoint.

Forensic experts were called to the spot to examine the vehicle and collect relevant evidence and samples as part of the investigation.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban Arun Gupta, who is supervising the operation, said the suspicious vehicle had been seized and that the investigation was in progress. He added that detailed information would be shared after the investigation advances.

Police said efforts were continuing to locate and apprehend the three suspects who fled into the forest, while the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s movement and its suspected use in bovine transportation are being investigated.