Three jail van escapees surrender

Police high ups order fact-finding report, foolproof prisoner transport system

RAWALPINDI:

Three of the prisoners who escaped from police custody while being transported from Kahuta Tehsil Courts to Adiala Jail have voluntarily surrendered to Rawalpindi police following sustained raids and surveillance at their homes and hideouts.

The suspects were taken into custody and handed over to Islamabad's Sihala Police. Police sources said another three to four of the remaining seven fugitives were also expected to turn themselves in.

Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Khalid Hamdani has directed a special investigation committee to submit a fact-based report at the earliest and ordered the formulation of a foolproof system for prisoner transportation.

According to sources, 14 undertrial prisoners involved in serious criminal cases allegedly created a disturbance inside the prison van after appearing before the Kahuta court, forcing it to stop near Chakian Stop in the Sihala police limits.

They allegedly threw chilli powder into the eyes of police personnel and escaped.

Four of the prisoners were recaptured immediately, while 10 managed to flee.

Following the incident, Sihala police registered a case against all 14 prisoners as well as five police officials, including a sub-inspector responsible for escort duty.

The four recaptured prisoners and the police personnel were formally arrested for investigation.

The CPO constituted a special inquiry committee headed by the SSP Investigation, comprising the SP Saddar, SP Security, acting SP Headquarters and other officers.

Meanwhile, police teams led by SSP Operations Malik Tariq Mehmood have been conducting raids at the homes and hideouts of the fugitives.

Police also kept the suspects' residences under surveillance and conveyed messages that anyone surrendering voluntarily would be dealt with according to law.

The strategy proved successful, with three suspects - Ehtesham, Adil and Zaigham - surrendering on Wednesday. One is wanted in a murder-cum-robbery case, another in a murder case and the third in a case involving injuries during a fight.

With the latest surrenders, the number of recaptured prisoners has risen to seven. Seven others, including Danish, Asadur Rehman and Abdul Rehman, remain at large. Police sources said another three to four fugitives were likely to surrender within the next 24 hours.

A police spokesperson said the arrested suspects were being handed over to Islamabad Police in connection with the case registered at Sihala Police Station, adding that the remaining fugitives would also be arrested soon. Separately, CPO Khalid Hamdani visited Kahuta and chaired a meeting attended by senior police officers to review progress in the investigation and arrests.

He directed police teams to expedite the arrest of the remaining escapees and instructed the special inquiry committee to submit its report promptly.

The CPO said arrangements for transporting prisoners and undertrial inmates were being reviewed to ensure such an incident does not recur. He added that action would be taken against those found responsible after the inquiry report was completed.