Odisha, Odisha — A retired Army General’s car was allegedly hit by a Punjab Police escort vehicle, and the police have not yet disclosed the identity of the vehicle 24 hours later.

Background Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda, a renowned military leader who led the 2016 surgical strikes, was driving his car in Zirakpur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district, when the incident occurred. The Punjab Police is working to identify the vehicles and personnel involved in the incident and has issued stringent directives to VIP escort personnel.

The incident took place on November 12, 2025, when General Hooda alleged that one of two Punjab Police jeeps escorting a VIP had hit his car and then sped off on the ‘Zirakpur flyover’. The Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav issued directions to identify the vehicles and personnel involved, assuring the matter was being taken seriously.

Community Impact The Punjab Police issued stringent directives to all VIP escort personnel, and the Director General of Police assured the matter was being taken seriously. “I have given the time and location of the incident, so they should be able to identify. Obviously, the identification shouldn’t take so long,” General Hooda said. The Police met him in this regard and are working on the case. “Yes, we have met him, and we are working on it,” Harmandeep Singh Hans, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for S.A.S Nagar, told The Hindu.

The Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, said the Punjab police duty is not just to protect threatened persons but also to uphold public dignity, safety, and confidence on the roads. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public roads and the accountability of VIP escort personnel.

Local Significance The incident has sparked debate about the role of VIP escort personnel and the need for greater accountability. The Punjab Police’s failure to disclose the identity of the vehicle involved has raised questions about the effectiveness of their investigation. The local community is demanding justice for General Hooda and an assurance that such incidents will not recur.

What Happens Next The Punjab Police is working to identify the vehicles and personnel involved in the incident. The Director General of Police has assured that the matter is being taken seriously, and stringent directives have been issued to all VIP escort personnel. The community is waiting for the outcome of the investigation and the disclosure of the identity of the vehicle involved.