14 prisoners escape from Adiala prison van, four recaptured

Fourteen under-trial prisoners (UTPs) escaped from a prison van while being shifted back to Adiala jail after their court appearance, police said.

They said that four of the escaped prisoners were recaptured shortly after their escape, while efforts are under way to trace the remaining 10.

The police have sealed off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the fugitives.

According to officials, the prisoners created chaos inside the van before throwing chilli powder into the eyes of police personnel and fleeing. The prison van was carrying 36 undertrial prisoners at the time, of whom 14 managed to escape.

The police said the escapees were facing serious criminal charges in various cases. The prisoners had earlier been brought from Adiala Jail to a subordinate court in Kahuta for hearing.

Officials said the prisoners escaped while being transported back to jail after entering the limits of Islamabad.

Police have circulated details of the absconding prisoners to all relevant authorities.