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A police officer clung to the roof rails of a speeding car for over 40 kilometres near Coimbatore, India, during a high-speed chase that ended with the arrest of three suspected smugglers and the seizure of illegal tobacco products.
Footage of Head Constable M Velmurugan holding onto the roof of the fleeing vehicle has gone viral on social media.
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The incident occurred when police intercepted a suspicious SUV following intelligence regarding contraband being smuggled into the district.
When officers attempted to inspect the vehicle, the driver trapped a sub-inspector's hand in the window and accelerated away, prompting Velmurugan to climb onto the roof rails to avoid being run over and to stop the suspects.
The vehicle reached speeds of over 100 kmph along the busy highway before police and emergency services intercepted it.
Three men were arrested after attempting to flee on foot, and officers recovered 170kg of banned tobacco products from the vehicle.
Velmurugan was praised by senior police officials and government ministers for his bravery and presence of mind.
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