Fourteen undertrial prisoners escaped from a prison van while being transported from Kahuta Tehsil Court to Adiala Jail on Monday, following an alleged planned disturbance inside the vehicle. Police managed to recapture four of the escapees, while search operations are underway to trace the remaining 10.
Escape Details
According to police, the Adiala Jail escort team was transporting 36 undertrial prisoners, who were facing trial in various criminal cases, back to Central Jail Adiala after their court appearance at Kahuta Tehsil Court. When the prison van reached the Chakian area within the jurisdiction of Sihala Police Station in Islamabad, the escort personnel heard loud shouting and fighting from inside the vehicle.
Police said Sub-Inspector Imtiaz, who was leading the team, opened the prisoners' compartment to intervene. At that moment, some of the inmates allegedly threw red chilli powder into the eyes of the police personnel before fleeing in different directions. The sudden escape caused panic among the police party.
Immediate Response
Four of the fleeing prisoners were immediately overpowered and taken back into custody, while 10 others managed to escape. Senior police officials were informed without delay. Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani took notice of the incident and directed SSP Operations Malik Tariq Mehboob and Saddar SP Anam Sher to reach the scene, supervise the search operation and conduct an inquiry.
Police teams from Kahuta and Kallar Syedan police stations, along with Islamabad's Sihala police, launched a joint search operation to apprehend the fugitives. However, no further arrests had been made by the time this report was filed.
Investigation Underway
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi police, in coordination with the Adiala Jail administration, have begun compiling individual profiles of the escaped prisoners, including the charges against them and their places of residence. A Rawalpindi police spokesperson said the escapees are undertrial prisoners facing different criminal cases. As the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Sihala Police Station in Islamabad, close coordination is being maintained with Islamabad police.
According to preliminary investigations, a violent altercation broke out among the prisoners inside the van shortly before the escape. Police said all those who fled would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated under the supervision of senior officers, and strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence.
