Police solve Palhallan hit-and-run case

Baramulla, Nov 27: Police in north Kashmir’s Baramulla have cracked a hit-and-run case that occurred on November 15, 2024, near Palhallan, which resulted in the death of a pedestrian. The breakthrough came after an exhaustive investigation, which included analysing footage from over 50 CCTV cameras.
The vehicle involved in the incident has been seized, and the driver responsible has been arrested.
Speaking during a press briefing, SDPO Pattan Shah Jahan Choudhary, said that the police took swift action after receiving information about the accident. “A pedestrian was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. A case (FIR No. 314/2024) was registered at PS Pattan, and an extensive investigation was launched to trace the vehicle and its driver,” he said.
The investigation included reviewing footage from over 50 CCTV cameras along the route from Palhallan to Sheeri. While initial findings only provided limited clues about the vehicle, such as its model, the breakthrough came when police traced the vehicle to a Territorial Army (TA) recruitment event in Sheeri.
“After meticulously analysing footage from rear cameras and cross-referencing data from November 14 along the Palhallan to Srinagar route, the vehicle was eventually spotted in Hanjivera and tracked to Budgam. Police examined data from 2,500 vehicles in Baramulla district and another 500 vehicles in Budgam, eventually identifying a suspect,” the SDPO said.
Upon interrogation, the youth admitted to hiring the vehicle for the recruitment event. The vehicle, bearing registration number JK04J 0917, was recovered from Zangam Budgam. In an attempt to evade detection, the accused had painted the vehicle white, the SDPO added.
Choudhary commended the relentless efforts of the investigation team and said that technology played a critical role in solving the case. “The driver is now in custody, and further legal proceedings are underway,” he said.
Notably, an unidentified speeding vehicle struck Nazir Ahmed Sofi, an elderly man from Palhallan, on November 15, resulting in his death. The vehicle involved in the incident had fled the scene, following which the police launched an investigation.