Panic as Senior IPS officer's SUV stolen

Thieves fleeing with a blue-beacon flashing SUV of a senior IPS officer posted with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) from near Delhi on Wednesday sent shivers down the security establishment, which is bracing towards ensuring an incident-free Republic Day celebrations.

The incident, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday immediately brought back memories of terrorists using the official vehicle of Punjab Police officer Salwinder Singh after “abducting” him to reach the Pathankot airbase before launching the terror strike.

A senior official said they were viewing the incident seriously as terrorists could use the vehicle to launch a strike at sensitive locations. “We cannot take it lightly. Especially, at a time we are celebrating the Republic Day,” the official said.

A massive hunt was launched for the white Tata Safari with a registration number CH 01 GA 2915, with the Delhi Police, which are coordinating the security for the Republic Day parade here, taking to Twitter seeking public’s help in tracing the vehicle. The vehicle was bought recently and it has beacon as well as the ITBP flag.

“Official vehicle white Tata Safari with blue light of IG ITBP stolen from sector 23 Noida last night.CH01GA2915. Alert sounded,” Delhi Police said on Twitter. All requested to share information if any with Delhi 100 or Noida SSP or 100 regarding this vehicle if spotted, it added.

Officials said the vehicle of ITBP Inspector General (IG) Anand Swarup was stolen from his Sector-23 residence at around 3:30 am. A case was registered at Noida Sector 24 Police Station after the guard of the residential complex informed Swarup.

The Union Home Ministry has specially asked Delhi Police to ensure that the vehicle is located as early as possible. Sources said police in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are checking for the vehicle.

On its part, ITBP has set up a Court of Inquiry into the incident. Swarup, a 1992-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, was posted as Inspector General (Provisioning) in Delhi few months back on transfer from Mussoorie.