A recent incident at District Jail Rawalakot in Poonch saw a daring prison break on a Tuesday afternoon, where nineteen inmates, including several convicted of serious crimes, managed to escape after overpowering a guard and breaching the main gate around 2:30 pm.
Law enforcement responded swiftly, but their efforts were thwarted, resulting in a shootout that tragically claimed the life of Khayyam Saeed, who was serving a five-year sentence. Notably, among the escapees are six individuals who had been sentenced to death: Saqib Majeed, Usman Iqrar, Shameer Azam, Amir Abdullah, Faisal Hameed, and Nazir Yasin.
Additional inmates who fled included Nauman Asif, Asif Dilbar, and Saqlain Sarfraz, each serving lengthy sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. Ghazi Shahzad, alleged to be the mastermind behind the escape, is of particular concern as he is reportedly affiliated with a banned organization and is wanted by authorities in India.
In response to the breach, authorities have launched an extensive manhunt throughout the district, establishing checkpoints and intensifying efforts to recapture the fugitives. Furthermore, measures have been taken to enhance security at the facility, including the transfer of high-risk inmates to more secure locations.
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding prison security and the ability to prevent such brazen escapes in the future. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the break-in are ongoing, with authorities working to apprehend the remaining fugitives and prevent any further incidents of this nature.
