IANS/Attari


In a major security breach, a non-resident Indian (NRI) crashed his SUV into the security gates at the Attari joint check post yesterday and reached the zero line at the international border between India and Pakistan.
Surinder Singh Kang was apprehended by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel for ramming his sports utility vehicle into the first gate at 3.50am and then driving till the next gate, about 800m further towards the international border. He then crashed his vehicle into the second gate.
The vehicle stopped only after hitting the Pakistani gate at the border after crashing through the Indian side of the gate.
A report from Pakistan said the Pakistan Rangers took up the matter with the BSF officials after the SUV damaged the gate on the Pakistan side as well. The report claimed that the SUV entered Pakistan territory.
The BSF and police sources said that the NRI appeared drunk.
Kang was questioned by security agencies and later handed over to the Indian police.
The NRI was booked under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other charges.
“After preliminary questioning, he was handed over to police for further investigation. Police authorities and other agencies are enquiring the matter,” BSF deputy inspector general (DIG) R S Kataria said.
The NRI, 42, a Canadian citizen and has been living in Surrey, British Columbia, since 1995.
Kang belongs to Adharman village of Punjab’s Jalandhar district. He arrived in India on November 9 on a five-month visa.
“All gates were closed at that time and it was dark. It is a serious security breach that he managed to reach up to the zero line. The incident is being investigated,” a BSF officer posted in the area told IANS.
The SUV was confiscated by Pakistani officials after it entered Pakistani territory, it said.
Another report, however, said the seized vehicle was later returned on the request of BSF authorities.