New Delhi: What began as a routine safety evacuation following minor earthquake tremors escalated into a major security jail breach in Karachi on Tuesday, as 216 inmates managed to escape from Malir prison. Officials had moved prisoners out of their cells as a precautionary measure against the seismic activity that had rattled the area.
However, this safety protocol was brutally exploited when a group of inmates capitalised on the chaos, launching a swift assault on guards, seizing their weapons, and ultimately fleeing the premises, Times of India reported.
Senior police official Kashif Abbasi confirmed the breakout, revealing that while a significant number, 78 of the escapees, had already been recaptured, a large manhunt was underway for the remaining fugitives. Abbasi assured the public that none of those who fled were convicted militants or individuals facing trial on terror charges, suggesting the escapees were primarily involved in minor crimes prior to this incident.
The desperate attempt at freedom, however, did not come without consequences, as a shootout ensued during the jailbreak, leaving one inmate dead and three security personnel injured before authorities managed to bring the situation under control.
Sindh’s Home Minister, Ziaul Hassan, elaborated on the sequence of events, explaining how the prisoners, while still outside their cells due to the tremors, seized the opportunity to attack the guards and force their way out. Prison Superintendent Arshad Shah indicated that the escapees likely headed towards nearby residential areas. In an immediate response, local police reportedly utilised mosque loudspeakers to warn residents about the escaped inmates, appealing for public assistance in identifying and reporting them.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah made a televised plea to the escapees, urging them to surrender. He highlighted the gravity of their actions, warning that while they were previously involved in minor offences, their participation in the jailbreak could now lead to serious terror charges if they are apprehended by the police.
