RAWALPINDI, Feb 11: Five handcuffed under-trial prisoners escaped from police custody while leaving Taxila for the Adiala Jail after appearing in the court of civil judge on Friday.

ASP Taxila Ijaz Khan told Dawn that one of the escapees identified as Rustam Khan, a resident of Abbotabad who was involved in a robbery case, had been captured while efforts were being made to trace the others.

Police said Wasim Ali, Rustam Khan, Tariq Qayyum, Pervez and Fayaz Hussain Shah were being led into a prisoners' van (RIR- 2395) after their appearance in the court when one of their accomplices, who had already been waiting there, sprayed red chillies into the eyes of the police guards.

In the meantime, the five handcuffed prisoners managed to escape while the guards remained helpless. The ASP said one of the fleeing prisoners opened his handcuff while the others escaped in shackles.

Shortly after their escape, the police at the exit and entry points of the city were alerted which helped them capture one of the accused. The official said a case would be registered against the policemen guarding the prisoners. However, he said it was yet to be ascertained as to how many policemen were involved in negligence.