Five Rawalpindi Police Personnel Arrested After Prisoners Escape from Custody Van
Rawalpindi: Police have arrested five Rawalpindi police officers and personnel following the escape of undertrial prisoners from a prison van in the jurisdiction of Sahala Police Station. A criminal case has also been registered in connection with the incident.
According to police sources, those arrested include the van in-charge, Sub-Inspector Imtiaz, Head Constable Yasir, Constables Muharram, Uzair, and another police official assigned to the prison van.
The First Information Report (FIR) also names four undertrial prisoners who were recaptured after escaping. The case has been registered under charges including negligence in the performance of official duties, obstructing public servants, escape from lawful custody, and other relevant provisions of the law. A police officer confirmed the registration of the case.
Sources said a total of 10 accused, including the five police personnel, four recaptured prisoners, and another suspect linked to the incident, have been named in the FIR. Police also conducted late-night raids at the homes of the remaining escaped prisoners, but no further arrests were made. The arrested suspects are expected to be presented before a court in Islamabad.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Rao Abdul Karim took strict notice of the incident. In response, SP Headquarters Mudassar Iqbal was transferred and directed to report to the Central Police Office, while DSP Headquarters Muhammad Imtiaz was suspended and also attached to the Central Police Office over alleged negligence.
According to police sources, the 10 prisoners who escaped were facing serious criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and narcotics-related offences. Among them were suspects identified as Alam Zeb, arrested in a 2024 narcotics case, and Wahab Qayyum, who was facing armed robbery charges. Other escapees were also under trial in cases involving robbery, murder, attempted murder, and related serious offences.
