Rawalpindi Police on Sunday arrested the final undertrial prisoner who had escaped from a prison van during transit from Kahuta tehsil courts to Central Jail Adiala, bringing a large-scale search operation to a successful conclusion. The escape occurred at Chakian Stop within Sihala Police Station jurisdiction, where 14 undertrial prisoners fled after allegedly throwing chilli powder into the eyes of police personnel escorting them.
Immediate Recaptures and Manhunt
According to police, four of the escapees were recaptured immediately at the scene by escorting officers, while the remaining ten suspects, including Asim Danish and Asadur Rehman, fled in different directions and went into hiding. Under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Malik Tariq Mehboob, Rawalpindi Police launched an extensive day-and-night search operation, conducting raids on the fugitives' homes and other suspected hideouts.
Police Strategy and Voluntary Surrenders
Police engaged the suspects' relatives and local community elders, urging the escapees to surrender voluntarily and assuring them they would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law. At the same time, police warned that if forced to carry out arrest operations, any consequences arising from resistance would not be the responsibility of the police. The strategy proved effective: on the second and third days following the escape, three suspects surrendered, followed by four more in subsequent days. Police later arrested two additional fugitives before apprehending the final absconder, identified as Asad, on Sunday.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The escaped undertrials were facing serious charges, including narcotics offences, murder, robbery-cum-murder, attempted murder and causing grievous injuries. Following his arrest, the 14th fugitive was handed over to Sihala Police, where all recaptured undertrials, along with a sub-inspector and other police personnel taken into custody in connection with the incident, are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. A spokesperson for Rawalpindi Police confirmed that with the arrest of the final absconder, the continuous search operation launched after the prison van escape has now formally concluded.
