Indian man crashes car into Wagah-Attari border gate

Published November 16, 2015
The crash left the gate at Atari "badly damaged" while the Wagah gate was partly damaged. —DawnNews screengrab
The crash left the gate at Atari "badly damaged" while the Wagah gate was partly damaged. —DawnNews screengrab
The crash left the gate at Atari "badly damaged" while the Wagah gate was partly damaged. —DawnNews screengrab
The crash left the gate at Atari "badly damaged" while the Wagah gate was partly damaged. —DawnNews screengrab
The vehicle came to a stop after crashing into the Pakistani side of the border gate. —DawnNews screengrab
The vehicle came to a stop after crashing into the Pakistani side of the border gate. —DawnNews screengrab

LAHORE: A speeding sports utility vehicle (SUV), driven by an Indian man, crashed into the Wagah-Attari border gate early on Monday.

The Indian citizen breached security on the Indian side of the border, reportedly crashing a check post and reached zero point of the border. The vehicle came to a stop after ramming into the Pakistani side of the border gate.

The incident raised caution among border officials, and led to the Punjab Rangers writing a letter to the Border Security Forces (BSF) seeking an inquiry into the breach of security, official sources said.

The crash left the gate at Attari "badly damaged" while the Wagah gate was partially damaged, witnesses at the site said.

The driver was arrested by BSF officials while his car was confiscated by Pakistani officials after it entered Pakistani territory, sources said.

Also read: Footprints: Six inches and a world away

The vehicle was returned upon request of the BSF, they added.

The Non-resident Indian (NRI), from Canada, was allegedly drunk when he drove his SUV into the gate at Attari, crossed the Zero Line, and crashed into the gate at the Pakistani side.

The incident comes days after Punjab Rangers had offered sweets and exchanged greetings with their Indian counterparts at Wagah border to mark the Hindu festival of Diwali — in resumption of the customary exchange of good wishes suspended for the last many months due to tensions between the two neighbouring states.

Security was beefed up at the border after a devastating suicide attack at the entrance of the Wagah border parade venue killed 60 people and left more than 110 injured in November last year.

Two militant organisations — outlawed Jundullah and TTP-affiliated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar — had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Opinion

Editorial

Lakki police protest
12 Sep, 2024

Lakki police protest

Police personnel are on thed front line in the campaign against militancy, and their concerns cannot be dismissed.
Interwoven crises
12 Sep, 2024

Interwoven crises

THE 2024 World Risk Index paints a concerning picture for Pakistan, placing it among the top 10 countries most...
Saving lives
12 Sep, 2024

Saving lives

Access to ethical and properly trained mental health professionals must be made available to all.
Dark turn
Updated 11 Sep, 2024

Dark turn

What transpired in Islamabad should give at least the old guard within the more established political parties some pause.
Clearing the air
11 Sep, 2024

Clearing the air

THE rumour mill had been working overtime regarding a purported extension for the chief justice of the country....
Deplorable remarks
11 Sep, 2024

Deplorable remarks

It is a matter of grave concern that Imran Khan reportedly defended Gandapur’s hideous remarks about the Punjab CM and female journalists.