Fourteen Prisoners Flee During Transfer to Adiala Jail, Triggering Manhunt

RAWALPINDI: On Monday, fourteen under‑trial prisoners escaped from a prison van while being transported from Kahuta to Adiala jail after overpowering the security guards, prompting police to launch a search operation, according to an official statement.

A Rawalpindi Police spokesperson said that CPO Hamdani was alerted to the escape in the Sihala area and ordered senior officers to proceed to the scene, file a report, and initiate a manhunt.

The spokesperson added that four of the escapees have already been re‑arrested, while teams continue to search for the remaining individuals.

“The escaped individuals are facing charges that are currently under trial,” the spokesperson said.

The statement noted that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Sihala police station in Islamabad district, and that coordination with the relevant authorities is ongoing.

Initial investigations indicate that a violent altercation broke out among the prisoners inside the van, which precipitated the escape.

“The escaped individuals will be apprehended and dealt with according to the law,” the spokesperson added.

“An inquiry into the incident has been launched under the supervision of senior officers, and strict disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found responsible.”

Earlier this month, two police officers and two civilians were booked after an under‑trial prisoner fled from Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi.

Last year, more than two hundred inmates escaped from District Prison Malir in Karachi.

Following that jailbreak—described by provincial Law Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar as “one of the largest‑ever in Pakistan”—Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah removed the provincial prisons chief, suspended the deputy inspector general of prisons, and relieved the penitentiary superintendent of duty.

Source link