Police re-arrest 12 prisoners who escaped from van in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Police in Rawalpindi have re-arrested 12 of the 14 under-trial prisoners who escaped from a police van while being taken from Kahuta to Adiala Jail, with five more taken into custody in the latest operation, officials said.

A police spokesman said four additional suspects involved in serious criminal cases had also been detained and were being handed over to Islamabad police in connection with the case registered at Sihala Police Station. The spokesman said the remaining two escaped prisoners would also be arrested soon.

City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani has formed a fact-finding committee to examine the negligence that led to the escape on Monday. The committee is also investigating why the cases of 36 prisoners were scheduled for hearing on the same day, including many inmates described as hardened criminals with previous criminal records.

The inquiry is reviewing several aspects of the transport arrangements, including why the prisoners were not handcuffed, why no escort vehicle accompanied the van despite the number of inmates being moved, and how and when the prisoners allegedly obtained red chilli powder that was thrown into the eyes of police guards.

Close to the investigation, the escape plan was devised inside the jail, and investigators believe this was linked to the fact that all of the prisoners who fled were from the Kahuta area.

Security arrangements revised

Following the incident, Rawalpindi police have revised security procedures for moving prisoners from Adiala Jail to the Anti-Terrorism Courts.

Under the new arrangements, prisoners will be transported in Armoured Personnel Carriers. If an APC is not available, police will contact the Regional Police Officer for alternate arrangements. Special police pickets will be deployed during the movement of prisoners involved in the most serious cases, while traffic police will ensure routes remain clear.

Police have also decided that the faces of high-profile or dangerous inmates will be covered with black cloth hoods during transport between the jail and the anti-terrorism courts to stop them from communicating with others or being identified.

Prisoners being tried in anti-terrorism courts will be handcuffed with their hands behind their backs in the presence of the guard in charge, who will check that the handcuffs are properly secured and will keep the keys. A police official said handcuffing suspects in this manner reduces the risk of overpowering police personnel or snatching a weapon.

The SHO of the relevant police station will escort the APC during transportation. An Elite Force commando vehicle will travel behind the SHO’s vehicle, while another Elite Force vehicle will provide rear escort to the APC.

Police have further decided that prisoners must be thoroughly searched before transport to ensure they are not carrying any weapon, blade or mobile phone. They will also be strictly barred from meeting anyone while in transit.