Hyderabad: Highway robberies sparked alarm after thieves killed a lorry driver and fled with the vehicle in Telangana’s Nizamabad district on Tuesday night, exposing serious security gaps on major road corridors.
The incident occurred at Indalwai, where assailants attacked the driver during night hours and escaped with the lorry. Following the killing, police reviewed safety conditions across four districts connected by busy national and inter-state highways.
The combined Medak and Vikarabad regions host National Highways 65, 44 and 161, along with the Zaheerabad–Bidar inter-state road. Meanwhile, frequent movement of goods vehicles during night hours has made these stretches vulnerable to repeated crimes.
In another incident at Gangwar crossroads in Nyalkal mandal, a gang intercepted a lorry carrying pan masala. The attackers assaulted the driver and looted goods worth ₹20 lakh along with ₹40,000 in cash.
At Buchinelli outskirts, miscreants targeted a family sleeping inside a car near a petrol bunk. They smashed the vehicle’s windows and attempted to snatch jewellery from a woman before fleeing.
On National Highway 44 near the Toopran bypass, robbers attacked a lorry driver and cleaner while they slept inside the parked vehicle. Consequently, the spate of crimes intensified concerns over highway robberies across the region.
Highway robberies expose lack of night surveillance
Police officials said inadequate surveillance along national and inter-state highways contributed to the recent crimes. Although traffic remains heavy at night, authorities failed to deploy consistent monitoring across vulnerable stretches.
Investigators revealed that gangs often position members near dhabas and toll gates. First, they identify parked vehicles and relay details about valuables. Then, attackers block the road, shine torches into drivers’ eyes and strike once vehicles stop.
Officials advised motorists to keep vehicle doors locked and avoid giving lifts to unknown persons. Moreover, they urged drivers to halt only at petrol bunks or designated rest areas.
Police cited international practices such as automated number plate scanning and AI-based surveillance towers in isolated highway zones. They said stronger patrols in crime-prone areas could significantly curb highway robberies if implemented effectively.
