3 cops arrested for alleged role in prisoner’s escape in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Three police officers posted at Adiala jail have been arrested for allegedly aiding a prisoner's escape during transportation from a court in Rawalpindi to Jhelum jail. The arrested officials include Assistant Sub-Inspector Tauqeer Hussain, Head Constable Mahboob Khan, and Constable Qasim, as reported by the Rawalpindi police. The incident unfolded on Tuesday in the Mandra area, where the prisoner, Hammad, a known offender, managed to escape while being escorted back to Jhelum jail following a court appearance.

According to the police statement, the three guards conspired with Hammad and orchestrated his escape by diverting the van driver at a hotel along GT Road near Mandra police station. Once the prisoner and the policemen exited the van at the hotel, they were joined by three accomplices. The police van driver promptly alerted the Mandra police, who arrived as the prisoner attempted to flee.

During the confrontation, Hammad and his accomplices opened fire on the police, leading to the filing of a first information report (FIR). The FIR was registered by Mandra police station house officer Zakaa ul Hassan under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including Sections 324, 353, 186, 120-B, 222, 223, 224, and multiple sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. Additionally, the police van was seized, and one accomplice, Danial, was apprehended with an AK-47.

Syed Danyial Hassan, SDPO of Gujjar Khan Sub-Divisional Police, stated that the police managed to arrest one accomplice, recover the AK-47, and that the prisoner was previously involved in the escape of 14 under-trial prisoners from a van en route from Kahuta to Adiala jail in June. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Sihala police station in Islamabad district.