Five cops detained, FIR registered over Adiala jail prisoners’ escape

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi police have registered a criminal case over the escape of 14 under-trial prisoners from a police transit van near Sihala and arrested five police personnel over alleged negligence as authorities widened an investigation into one of the country’s biggest recent custody breaches.

The case was registered on the complaint of the lock-up guard, police said on Tuesday.

At least 14 under-trial prisoners escaped from a police transit van on Monday after blinding personnel with chili powder near Sihala.

The incident occurred in the Sihala area after the inmates were being transferred back to Adiala jail following a routine court appearance in Kahuta.

According to the first information report (FIR), 36 under-trial prisoners were being transported back to Adiala jail after presenting them before a court in Kahuta when a fight broke out inside the prison van.

When police stopped the vehicle to investigate, the inmates allegedly threw chili powder into the eyes of the escort personnel and escaped from custody.

Police said four of the 14 escaped prisoners were recaptured shortly after the incident, while search operations were continuing to arrest the remaining 10 fugitives.

The FIR included charges of obstructing public servants from performing their duty, assaulting law enforcement personnel and escaping from lawful custody.

Police detained five police officials, including the guard commander on duty, as part of the inquiry into the security lapse, officials said.

Investigators have begun examining the detained officers’ mobile phone records and call data, while also reviewing details of prisoner visits at the Kahuta court before the transfer.

The inquiry team has sought records to determine how many prisoners were handcuffed during transport and is also examining the deployment of escort personnel, the government-issued weapons assigned to the convoy, duty allocations and overall security arrangements.

Authorities are also investigating whether standard operating procedures for transporting prisoners were followed.

Sources said that Rawalpindi SP Headquarters Mudassar Iqbal was removed from his post and directed him to report to Lahore.

Following the incident, Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar had ordered a high-level inquiry and sought a detailed report from the Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer.

Earlier, a massive manhunt was launched across the rugged terrain surrounding the Chakiya post, a police spokesperson said adding that police forces have placed Kahuta on a high security alert, sealing all entry and exit points and setting up strict blockades along Kahuta Road to search passing vehicles.

Local residents have been instructed to report any suspicious individuals to the police, the spokesperson said.

The Rawalpindi police said that they were coordinating closely with the Islamabad district police, given the geopolitical jurisdiction of the crime scene.