A police officer has sustained serious injuries, including broken teeth and a deep injury to his mouth, after a speeding motorcycle crashed into a police checkpoint on the Sinamalé Bridge Highway early Saturday morning.
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, which police suspect was a deliberate attempt to intimidate officers involved in an ongoing operation against dangerous driving.
According to the Maldives Police Service, the incident occurred at approximately 4:29 am on October 17, along the highway lane leading from Malé towards Hulhumalé.
Police said the motorcycle was travelling at a speed exceeding 100 kilometres per hour when it approached officers stationed at a checkpoint established as part of a special road safety operation.
The motorcycle struck barricades placed along the road before colliding with an officer who was carrying out his duties at the checkpoint.
The impact left the officer with multiple injuries, including broken teeth and a severely injured mouth.
He was subsequently taken to ADK Hospital, where he remains admitted and is receiving medical treatment.
Other officers stationed at the checkpoint managed to stop the motorcycle immediately following the collision.
The two individuals travelling on the motorcycle were arrested at the scene, while the motorcycle itself was taken into police custody.
Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of two additional individuals believed to have been involved in the incident.
Police also seized another motorcycle as part of the investigation, bringing the total number of people arrested to four and the number of motorcycles taken into custody to two.
Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed has strongly condemned the incident, raising concerns that the collision may have been a coordinated attempt to disrupt police operations targeting reckless motorists.
According to the Commissioner, preliminary information suggests the incident was intended to obstruct the special operation, intimidate officers and pressure police into abandoning enforcement activities.
He also revealed that three other motorcycles were observed in connection with the incident, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Police have not confirmed whether the individuals involved deliberately planned to strike the officer, and investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
The Commissioner stressed that the police service would not be deterred by threats, intimidation or violence directed at officers carrying out their responsibilities.
He maintained that enforcement operations aimed at improving road safety and maintaining public order would continue despite the incident.
The police service has also warned that stronger legal action will be pursued against individuals who engage in dangerous behaviour or attempt to interfere with law enforcement activities.
The incident comes amid continuing police efforts to address dangerous driving and reckless motorcycle activity on roads connecting Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé.
The Sinamalé Bridge Highway is one of the country’s busiest transport routes, providing a vital connection between the capital, Velana International Airport and the residential areas of Hulhumalé.
High-speed driving on the highway poses significant risks, particularly where vehicles encounter checkpoints, other motorists or personnel working along the road.
Police checkpoints and targeted enforcement operations are among the measures used by authorities to identify traffic violations and discourage dangerous driving.
Saturday’s incident has highlighted the risks faced by officers conducting roadside operations, particularly when dealing with motorists travelling at excessive speeds.
While four suspects remain in custody, police have yet to announce the specific charges they may face.
The injured officer continues to receive treatment at ADK Hospital as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and the possible involvement of other riders.
