MUZAFFARABAD: As many as seven officials of the district jail of Rawalakot have been arrested over the escape of 19 dangerous prisoners from the prison a day earlier.
Moreover, the Azad Kashmir government has also made the inspector general of prisons AJK as OSD (officer on special duty) and launched an inquiry into possible involvement of jail staff in the escape of the prisoners.
The escaped prisoners included those arrested and kept in the jail for their involvement in different crimes such as murder, attempted murder, terrorism and some of them had been sentenced to death, said police officials.
One of the prisoners snatched the gun from the guard at the gate and held him hostage. The other prisoners also had guns and entered into a shootout with the guards and police. One prisoner was also reported killed.
Taking notice of the incident, the state government suspended the inspector general of prisons and arrested seven staffers deputed on the security of the jail.
Meanwhile, security has been enhanced in all other jails in Azad Kashmir with deployment of mire security staff and police and tightening of checking of all those visiting the prisons.
