Speeding vehicle jumps barricade, flees warning shots on Jammu-Srinagar highway
Synopsis
A suspicious vehicle ran a security checkpoint on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban, evading three warning shots before escaping — triggering a joint police-CRPF-Army manhunt. The breach occurred on a route actively used by Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, just a day after the pilgrimage resumed following a security-driven suspension.
Key Takeaways
A four-wheeler jumped a security barricade at Chanderkote , Ramban , on 7 August , fleeing despite three warning shots .
Jammu and Kashmir Police , CRPF , and the Indian Army launched a joint search operation to trace the vehicle.
The incident occurred on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway , the primary route for Amarnath Yatra pilgrim convoys.
The Yatra had resumed on Thursday after a one-day suspension; the 28th batch of 1,801 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar at 2:45 am .
More than 4.71 lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine so far; the Yatra concludes on 28 August .
A suspicious four-wheeler on Friday, 7 August jumped a security barricade at Chanderkote on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district, fleeing even after security forces fired three warning rounds in an attempt to halt it. The incident has raised serious security concerns along a route currently being used by Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.
How the Incident Unfolded
The vehicle, travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu, was signalled to stop at a police checkpoint in Chanderkote. Instead of complying, the driver accelerated toward Nashri, ignoring repeated signals from personnel on duty. Security forces discharged three rounds as a warning, but the vehicle managed to escape the area.
Joint Search Operation Launched
A coordinated search operation was swiftly launched by Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army to trace the vehicle and identify its occupants. Security personnel are conducting searches across the area and surrounding routes. Further details are awaited as the operation remains ongoing.
Security Concerns for Amarnath Yatra
The Jammu-Srinagar highway serves as the primary artery for Amarnath Yatra convoys, making the incident particularly alarming. Ramban district is a critical transit corridor for pilgrims travelling to and from the cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir. The yatra had resumed from Jammu on Thursday, 7 August after a one-day suspension linked to heightened security arrangements on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
Yatra Status and Pilgrim Numbers
The 28th batch of pilgrims — comprising 1,347 men, 351 women, 89 sadhus, and 14 sadhvis — departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp at approximately 2:45 am in 74 vehicles bound for the Baltal base camp. No convoy was dispatched along the Pahalgam route that day. Cumulatively, more than 4.71 lakh pilgrims have offered prayers at the shrine so far this season. The 57-day Yatra is scheduled to conclude on 28 August, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the vehicle's occupants or disclosed a motive, and the search operation is ongoing.
Point of View
Particularly during the Amarnath Yatra season, which makes the escape all the more troubling. That the yatra had been suspended just a day earlier over security concerns adds context that authorities cannot afford to ignore. Until the vehicle and its occupants are traced, the nature of the threat — criminal, militant, or otherwise — remains unresolved, and that uncertainty is itself a risk to pilgrim safety.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Chanderkote checkpoint in Ramban?
A suspicious four-wheeler travelling from Srinagar to Jammu ignored signals to stop at a police checkpoint in Chanderkote, Ramban, on 7 August. Security forces fired three warning rounds but the vehicle fled toward Nashri, prompting a joint search operation.
Which security agencies are involved in the search operation?
Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army are jointly conducting the search operation to trace the vehicle and identify those inside it.
Why is this incident significant for the Amarnath Yatra?
The Jammu-Srinagar highway is the main route used by Amarnath Yatra pilgrim convoys, making any security breach on this stretch a direct concern for pilgrim safety. Ramban district is a critical transit point for the pilgrimage, and the incident occurred just a day after the Yatra resumed following a one-day security suspension.
What is the current status of the Amarnath Yatra?
The Yatra resumed on 7 August after a one-day suspension. The 28th batch of 1,801 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 2:45 am for the Baltal base camp. More than 4.71 lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine so far this season.
When does the Amarnath Yatra 2025 end?
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to conclude on 28 August, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and the Raksha Bandhan festival.
