Nosheen Khawaja
MUZAFFARABAD: The aftermath of an unprecedented jailbreak in southern Rawalakot has led to the arrest of 11 officials, including the deputy superintendent of the district jail. This unparalleled incident prompted a massive search for 18 fugitives who managed to escape custody.
On Sunday, 18 inmates escaped amidst a tense hostage situation involving a sentry and the reported use of a revolver by the inmates. One inmate lost his life “in the crossfire,” while nineteen others successfully evaded capture as they fled the prison’s confines, according to officials. Family members dispute official accounts, asserting the deceased was unarmed and had no intention to escape.
The escape, still under investigation, has sent shock waves through the region and raised serious concerns about security protocols and the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in the area. Among the escapees are convicted criminals facing death sentences and sentences ranging from five to 25 years, individuals under trial for terrorism charges, and even minors, who exploited vulnerabilities in the jail’s security system to execute their getaway.
The government of Pakistan-administered Kashmir has announced a staggering Rs 100 million reward for any information leading to the capture of the escapees. Detailed posters, featuring photographs, names, addresses, and legal status of each fugitive, have been widely distributed across the region to aid in their apprehension.
“This is a critical moment for law enforcement,” remarked a police official involved in the operation. “Our teams are working tirelessly to track down these fugitives and ensure they face justice.”
Commissioner of Poonch Division, Sardar Waheed Khan, confirmed that rigorous measures are in place, including continuous checks on internal and external routes. “Specialized raid teams equipped with modern tools such as drones have been deployed for extensive search operations in all areas,” he stated.
Additionally, he said, all fugitives’ names had been entered into the PNIL (Passenger Name Record Information) to prevent any attempts to flee abroad, with heightened vigilance at all airports.
In a proactive move, Superintendent Jail Baagh, Sanaullah Dar, has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Rawalakot District Jail to bolster security measures and restore order.
Simultaneously, an investigation committee, chaired by senior bureaucrat Chaudhry Muhammad Raqeeb, with Deputy Inspector General of Police Shahryar Skindar and Commissioner Sardar Waheed as members, has been tasked with probing the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak. The committee aims to identify lapses and the role of jail officials and recommend measures to fortify security in detention facilities to prevent future incidents.
Despite exhaustive efforts, including a widespread manhunt and community cooperation appeals, none of the escapees have been apprehended yet.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information on the escapees’ whereabouts to come forward, ensuring confidentiality and emphasizing the critical role of community cooperation in helping to apprehend the escapees.
A short video of the jailbreak escapees appeared on the social media on Sunday itself.
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