11 terrorists including feared Ghazi Shehzad among prisoners escaped from AJK jail

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government’s ignoing the court orders and security agencies’ Red Alert to shift terror prisoners from the low-security prison in Rawalakot to a high-security jail in Muzaffarabad or Mirpur supported terrorists to jailbreak and escape after taking the police personnel hostage.

The 24NewsHD TV channel revealed in its inside story of the jailbreak on Monday that a terrorist Ghazi Shehzad along with other inmates succeeded in escaping from the Rawalakot Jail yesterday.

The TV channel reported that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had asked to transfer the dangerous prisoners to Mirpur or Muzaffarabad but the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir had declared such information unnecessary.

At the request of the security agencies, the court also ordered the AJK government to transfer the dangerous prisoners but the prisoners were not transfered to other jail.

Meanwhile, seven officials including IG Prisons and deputy superintendent jail were suspended and facing an inquiry after high-profile terrorists escaped from Rawalakot prison.

Meanwhile the AJK government has urged the Azad Kashmir High Court Chief Justice to constitute a judicial commission to probe the incident.

Security has been put on high alert across Azad Kashmir with police conducting raids and search operations to rearrest the escaped prisoners.

In another development, AJK Special Interior Secretary Badar Mueer has been removed from his post. SDMA Director Raja Tahir Mumtaz was appointed in his place.

Yesterday, a total of 20 inmates escaped from Rawalakot Jail of Poonch District after taking the police personnel hsotage. A shootout exchange occurred between police and prisoners on the outskirts of the city, killing one inmate. The deceased prisoner identified as Khayyam was arrested on drug-related charges

The police officials stated the prisoners opened fire on cops, injuring one inmate who was arrested and succumbed later. The escapees reportedly overpowered a policeman at gunpoint before engaging in a shootout with police.

The situation escalated as the most dangerous among the fugitives, including death row inmates, managed to flee. In response, authorities have heightened security across the district and cordoned off the city of Rawalakot.

The district jail staff has been taken into custody, and an investigation was underway.

Committee to probe prisoners escape

In another related development, the AJK government has constituted a committee to probe the escape of prisoners from Rawalakot Jail.

Inland Revenue Secretary Muhammad Raqeeb will be the chairman of the probe committee while Poonch Commissioer Sardar Waheed and DIG Poonch Sheharyar Sikandar are its members.

The committee is tasked to review the possible involvement of jail officials in the prisoners’ escape and other related issues.

The AJK prime minister took serious notice of the incident and suspended all staff of the jail.

AFP added, "The inmates had a revolver that they used to hold a sentry hostage," said Badar Munir, an official with the regional ministry of interior. "It is unclear whether they seized it (the weapon) from jail officials or if it was brought in from outside," Munir added.

Prisons in Pakistan are notorious for overcrowding, poor conditions, corruption and human rights violations. Additionally, slow judicial processes contribute to prolonged stays for prisoners.

Militant groups have organised several mass jailbreaks in Pakistan in the past, including one in the northwestern town of Bannu in 2012 that sprung 400 prisoners.

Reporter: Zahid Bashir