14 under-trial prisoners escape from van near Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Fourteen under-trial prisoners escaped from a prison van on Monday after allegedly overpowering security personnel while being transported from Kahuta to Adiala Jail, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale search operation.

According to a statement issued by the Rawalpindi Police spokesperson, the incident occurred in the Sihala area. Taking immediate notice, City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani directed senior officers to reach the scene, submit a detailed report and oversee an operation to apprehend the escapees.

Police said four of the escaped prisoners were recaptured during the operation, while search teams continued raids to arrest the remaining fugitives.

The spokesperson said all of the escapees were under-trial prisoners facing proceedings in different criminal cases.

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Sihala Police Station in Islamabad, and Rawalpindi Police are coordinating with the relevant authorities to track down the remaining suspects.

Initial investigations suggest that a violent altercation broke out among the prisoners inside the van before they overpowered the security guards and fled.

Police vowed to arrest all the escapees and bring them to justice, adding that an inquiry had been ordered under the supervision of senior officers.

"Strict departmental action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence," the spokesperson said.

The incident comes weeks after an under-trial prisoner escaped from Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi, leading police to register a case against two police officials and two other individuals.

Last year, more than 200 inmates escaped from District Prison Malir in Karachi in one of Pakistan's largest jailbreaks. Following the incident, the Sindh government removed the provincial prisons chief and suspended the deputy inspector general of prisons as well as the prison superintendent over security lapses.