Last of 14 escaped undertrial prisoners recaptured after Adiala prison van escape

Police have arrested the last remaining undertrial prisoner (UTP) who escaped from Adiala prison van earlier this week, completing a large-scale search operation launched after 14 inmates fled during their transfer from court.

According to Rawalpindi police, the prisoners escaped within the limits of Sihala while being transported from a court in Kahuta to Adiala Jail. They said the 14 undertrials threw chilli powder into the eyes of security personnel before fleeing from the prison van. Four were recaptured at the scene, while the others escaped in different directions.

A statement said teams led by SSP Operations Malik Tariq Mehboob carried out day-and-night raids on the suspects' homes and possible hideouts. Police also contacted the fugitives' families and local elders, urging the suspects to surrender voluntarily and warning that operations would continue if they failed to do so.

Authorities said the strategy proved effective, with several suspects surrendering over the following days, while others were arrested during subsequent raids.

The final fugitive, identified as Asad, was arrested on Sunday, bringing all 14 escaped prisoners back into custody.