Rawalpindi police announced on Thursday that they have re-arrested three of the seven remaining under-trial prisoners who escaped from a prison van at Chakiyan Stop on June 29. The escape occurred when prisoners were being transported from Kahuta courts back to Adiala jail.
Identities of the Re-Arrested Prisoners
The three re-arrested prisoners were identified as Abdul Wahab (son of Abdul Qayyum), facing charges of armed robbery and using stolen property; Danish (son of Sher), arrested for murder and armed robbery; Abdul Rehman (son of Abdul Latif), facing murder and armed robbery charges; and Wahid (son of Zahid Mehmood), facing a murder case. All cases were registered with Kahuta police.
Previous Re-Arrests and Ongoing Operations
On Wednesday, police had re-arrested three other escapees: Adeel Hussain (son of Ikhlaq Hussain), facing murder and armed robbery; Ehtasham (son of Sher Shah), charged with rioting and causing injuries; and Zaigham Hussain (son of Rehmat Hussain), facing a murder case. A Rawalpindi police spokesperson stated that law enforcers have so far re-arrested 11 of the 14 escaped prisoners. The remaining three are expected to be captured soon and handed over to Sihala police in Islamabad.
Details of the Escape Incident
The incident took place when Adiala jail guard police were escorting 36 under-trial prisoners back from Kahuta courts. Near Chakiyan stop, prisoners began fighting inside the van. Unable to calm them, police opened the van door, at which point some prisoners threw ground red chilies into the eyes of the policemen and fled. Police forcibly closed the door at gunpoint, but 14 prisoners managed to escape. Four were re-arrested the same evening.
Legal Proceedings
The FIR against the escaped prisoners and their escorting policemen was registered with Sihala police, as the incident occurred in their jurisdiction. The FIR includes sections 224 (resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 186 (obstructing a public servant), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The escorting police officials were charged under section 223 (escape from confinement negligently suffered by a public servant) of the PPC and Sections 155-C (willful breach of law) and 155-D (violation of duty) of the Police Ordinance, 2002.
Continued Raids
Both Islamabad and Rawalpindi police continue conducting raids to arrest the remaining seven prisoners. The police spokesperson assured that the remaining escapees would soon be re-arrested.
