Prisoners were aware of the DI Khan jailbreak in advance

Militants stayed inside the jail for over three hours while officers sought refuge in 'nullahs'.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Prison inmates were aware of  the recent jailbreak in Dera Ismail Khan in advance, and geared up for escape immediately after hearing the first gunshot, Express News reported.

Reports suggest that the attackers stayed for over three hours inside the jail before attempting escape. Armed with guns, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and bombs, they bombarded the prison before fleeing with their accomplices.

While the militants were attacking the jail, the jail officials sought refuge in underground 'nullahs', even though they had been given a precautionary security drill a day before.

An official of the district police had told The Express Tribune that “around 248 prisoners escaped from the jail, including 49 high-profile militants, six death row prisoners and five females”.

The terrorists had stormed the jail around midnight on Monday.