Pathankot: Police in Pathankot have arrested three young men during a high-security blockade near the Pathankot Air Force Station after they attempted to pose as members of the Punjab Police. The suspects were intercepted late at night while travelling in an I-20 vehicle near Naushera Nalbanda. During the initial stop, the individuals claimed to be constables currently assigned to intelligence duties and presented a police identification card to the officers on site. However, the authorities quickly became suspicious when the other two passengers failed to provide any valid documentation, leading to a thorough verification of the credentials provided.
According to DSP Vipin Kumar, the identification card used by the suspects was found to be fraudulent. Under rigorous questioning, the trio confessed that they were not affiliated with the police department in any capacity. They admitted to finding the genuine ID card belonging to a constable named Sunil Sharma near a petrol pump in Hoshiarpur approximately two days prior. Rather than returning the lost item, they decided to use it as a tool to bypass security checkpoints and avoid paying fees at various toll plazas along the highway.
The investigation has revealed that the suspects had been successfully using the stolen identity to deceive security forces and toll operators for the past forty-eight hours. The police are currently gathering more information regarding the legitimate Constable Sunil Sharma, who is reportedly stationed at the Amritsar Police Lines, to determine the circumstances under which his identification was lost. The vehicle used in the incident, which bears the registration number PB07BD5949, has been seized along with the counterfeit credentials as evidence for the ongoing case.
The three men remain in police custody and face serious charges related to fraud and the impersonation of a public servant. Following the incident, security has been further tightened around sensitive areas such as the Air Force Station to prevent similar deceptive tactics. Authorities emphasized that such actions not only constitute a criminal offence but also pose a significant threat to regional security by undermining the integrity of official identification systems. Further legal proceedings are expected as investigators look into whether the group was involved in any other illegal activities during their period of impersonation.
