Fourteen prisoners escaped from a police van near Rawalpindi after allegedly throwing chilli powder into the eyes of a police official during their transfer from Kahuta to Adiala Jail, officials said.
Police later recaptured four of the escaped detainees, while 10 others remain at large. Serious cases, including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking, are pending against the absconding accused.
According to police sources, 34 prisoners were being brought back to Adiala Jail after appearing before a Kahuta court when the incident took place near Chakian Post in the Sihala area.
The accused allegedly staged a fight inside the van and created noise. When the driver stopped the vehicle and a police official opened the gate to control the situation, the prisoners threw chilli powder into the officer’s eyes and jumped out of the van.
Four accused recaptured after chase
The van driver and the guard in-charge chased the escaping prisoners and managed to recapture four of them from nearby areas.
The four re-arrested suspects were handed over to Sihala police. However, police have not yet been able to arrest the remaining 10 absconding accused.
Among the recaptured accused, three suspects — Atif, Zakaria Akhlaq, and Saim Ishtiaq — are nominated in murder cases registered at Kahuta police station.
Taking notice of the serious security lapse, the Rawalpindi CPO ordered the immediate arrest of the escaped detainees. The SP (operations) reached the scene and began monitoring the search operation. Police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused.
IGP takes notice, senior officers face action
Punjab IGP Abdul Karim also took notice of the incident and ordered action over negligence. Rawalpindi SP (Headquarters) Mudassar Iqbal was directed to report to the Central Police Office Lahore, while Rawalpindi DSP (Headquarters) Imtiaz Butt was suspended over incompetence and negligence.
According to a police spokesperson, strict departmental action will be taken against officials found guilty of negligence.
Five police officials detained
Five police officials assigned to security duty with the prisoner van were taken into custody after the escape.
Police also examined the mobile phones and call records of the detained officials. Details of people who met the escaped suspects during their court appearance have also been obtained.
A case has been registered at Sihala police station over the escape of prisoners from police custody near Chakian Post.
The FIR was registered on the complaint of Adiala Guard in-charge Liaquat Ali. Five officials, including Sub-Inspector Imtiaz, Head Constable Tahir, and Constables Muharram, Aziz, Shafqat, and Nazir, were named in the case for negligence and breach of duty.
The case includes Sections 155-C and 155-D of the Police Order 2002.
According to the FIR, police employees showed negligence and carelessness during the transfer. The report also mentions that the prisoners created a “film-like drama” inside the van before escaping.
Search continues for 10 absconding prisoners
Police said the escaped prisoners are involved in serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking.
Authorities have intensified the search operation, while senior police officials are monitoring the case closely after the major security lapse during the transfer from Kahuta to Adiala Jail.
