Prisoner vans attacked in Islamabad, police cliam to rearrest escaped PTI MPAs

ISLAMABAD: Unknown assailants attacked three prisoner vans at the Sangjani Toll Plaza in Islamabad, resulting in the escape of several inmates, including three PTI members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) who were arrested during the D-Chowk protest.

According to police sources, 82 detainees from the D-Chowk protest were being transported back to Attock jail after a court appearance when the vans were ambushed by unidentified assailants.

According to the sources, three MPAs, Anwar Zeb, Liaqat and Yasir Qureshi along with detained Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government employees and police officials.

Also read: PTI protest at D-Chowk: reinforcements, 2,000 tear gas shells delivered

Police said that as the vans reached Sangjani Toll Plaza, armed assailants opened fire, bursting the tires of the vehicles.

Several police officials and inmates were injured in the attack and were subsequently moved to a hospital for treatment.

Later, the police claimed to re-arrest several fugitives including the son of an MPA.

Speaking to Geo News, Islamabad Police Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi confirmed that 82 detainees were being transported in the three vans when unknown attackers opened fire near Sangjani Toll Plaza, leading to a temporary escape of some prisoners.

He claimed that all escaped inmates were recaptured and being returned to Islamabad.

IG Rizvi said that among those initially escaped were two MPAs, who were now in custody again.

He said that the attackers, numbering around 18 to 20, included the son of an MPA.

The Islamabad police chief said that police have apprehended four of the assailants, including the MPA’s son, a police officer, and two other suspects.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Atta Tarar has said that the attack on prisoner transport vans near Sangjani Toll Plaza was a premeditated plan.

He said that Islamabad police successfully thwarted the attempt and arrested MPA Liaqat’s son with firearm.

He said that authorities have detained four suspects, while all escaped prisoners have been re-arrested.

“No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands,” he said, adding that police were searching for the 15 suspected attackers identified through CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that PTI supporters were forcibly taken off from the prisoner vans. He accused the police of attempting to help them escape. “Our detained workers remained sit in vans. When the court discharged them, they were immediately re-arrested on different charges. Over 82 of our workers were being transported in three prison vans to Attock,” he said.