Latest news with #Zia-ulHasanLanjhar
NDTV
3 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Fearing Building Collapse, Over 200 Inmates Escape Pak Jail During Earthquakes
At least 216 prisoners escaped from Karachi's Malir Jail after earthquakes caused panic and structural damage. While 80 have been recaptured, over 130 remain at large. The government may reduce sentences for those who return voluntarily amid ongoing searches. Islamabad: At least 216 prisoners escaped from Pakistan's Karachi prison after a series of earthquakes shook the city on Tuesday. Karachi's Malir Jail houses at least 5,000 prisoners and is home to some of the country's most high-profile inmates, including terrorists. As 3.2-3.6 magnitude tremors shook the city, panic spread among thousands of inmates as cracks appeared on the prison walls. Soon after, they started breaking the doors and locks of their cells and shattered windows in an attempt to escape. Prisoners started yelling from their barracks and cells, fearing the building collapse, the prison superintendent told the BBC. "The incident is not a security lapse, it's all due to a natural disaster," the official added. What ensued was chaos, and police, along with the security forces, launched an operation to recapture the escaped inmates. Police said they fired warning shots into the air, which resulted in the death of an inmate and injuries to two prison officers. About 80 prisoners have been recaptured, while more than 130 prisoners are still on the run, reports said. Zia-ul Hasan Lanjhar, the Sindh Home Minister, said the government may consider reducing the sentences of inmates who return voluntarily. He issued a warning that anyone apprehended by the police would be tried under anti-terrorism legislation, according to reports. Malir Jail is also home to more than 100 Indian inmates, most of whom are poor fishermen serving sentences for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in Pakistani waters. They were detained in different barracks and stayed in their cells during the earthquake, according to a police official. The recent jailbreak is one of the largest in Pakistan's recent history. Police are going from place to place, visiting former homes of escaped inmates to find and arrest those still on the run.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Over 200 Prisoners Escape From High-Security Jail After Quake In Pakistan
Karachi: Over 200 prisoners have escaped from a high-security jail in Pakistan's port city of Karachi after chaos erupted following an earthquake, a minister said on Tuesday. Hundreds of prisoners broke down the doors of their cells after they felt tremors at Malir Jail in Karachi, which was hit by three low-intensity earthquakes on Monday, police said. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul Hasan Lanjhar confirmed on Tuesday that 216 prisoners had escaped the jail. He added that 78 prisoners were re-captured in 24 hours. Mr Lanjhar said that when the tremors occurred on the night of Monday night, prisoners panicked and started resorting to violence to come out of their cells. "Police officials tried to ensure their safety and brought them out of the cells after which some prisoners resorted to violence and escaped," he added. He said a dozen policemen and prisoners were injured in the violence while a prisoner was shot dead while trying to escape. The minister said if the prisoners returned voluntarily, the government would consider a reduction in their sentences. He warned that those caught by the police would be tried under anti-terrorism laws. Malir Jail also houses over 100 Indian prisoners, most of them poor fishermen serving time for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistan's waters. A police official said that they were kept in a separate barrack and they remained in their cells during the earthquake. Earlier, Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah said over 600 prisoners were taken out from their barracks during the quake, Pakistan's Geo TV reported. Law enforcement authorities have launched a joint operation to track down the remaining escapees. The incident has led to the dismissal of IG prisons, the jail superintendent and other high-ranking officials.
Mint
4 days ago
- General
- Mint
Over 200 prisoners escape from Pakistan jail after quake; govt promises reduction in sentences for voluntary return
Pakistan, Karachi: Over 200 inmates escaped from a high-security jail in Pakistan's port city of Karachi after chaos ensued, following an earthquake in the nation, a minister said on Tuesday. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul Hasan Lanjhar said if the prisoners returned voluntarily, the government would consider a reduction in their sentences. He warned that those caught by the police would be tried under anti-terrorism laws, reported PTI. Hundreds of prisoners broke down the doors of their cells after they felt tremors at Malir Jail in Karachi, which was hit by three low-intensity earthquakes on Monday, police said. Following the tremors on Monday night, prisoners panicked and started resorting to violence to come out of their cells, reported PTI. As many as 216 prisoners had escaped the jail, out of which 78 prisoners were re-captured in 24 hours, Lanjhar told the media. He added that a dozen policemen and prisoners were injured in the violence while a prisoner was shot dead while trying to escape. 'Police officials tried to ensure their safety and brought them out of the cells after which some prisoners resorted to violence and escaped,' he added. Malir Jail also houses over 100 Indian prisoners, most of them poor fishermen serving time for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistan's waters. A police official said that they were kept in a separate barrack and they remained in their cells during the earthquake. Earlier, Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah said over 600 prisoners were taken out from their barracks during the quake, Geo TV reported. Law enforcement authorities have launched a joint operation to track down the remaining escapees. The incident has led to the dismissal of IG prisons, the jail superintendent and other high-ranking officials. (with inputs from agencies)
