RAWALPINDI: Following the Gilgit-Baltistan jailbreak last month, jail authorities across Punjab have been directed to immediately shift high-profile terror convicts to more secure facilities and take extraordinary measures to avert any such lapse in future.

Four prisoners, including two involved in the Nanga Parbat attack on 10 foreign climbers, made an attempt to escape from the Gilgit-Baltistan jail on February 26.

During the jailbreak, one prisoner was gunned down, another was injured while two other high profile prisoners managed to escape.

Take a look: GB jail escape: Man involved in Nanga Parbat massacre among two fleeing prisoners

Taking notice of the incident, the federal government warned prison authorities across the province that the officials in charge of ensuring security measures of high profile terrorists shall be held responsible for any similar lapse and strict disciplinary action would be taken against them.

A police source told Dawn that Central Jail Adiala was secure and trials of terrorism cases were being held inside the jail premises. The jail is well-guarded by Rangers, Elite Force and police troops. However, other prisoners are brought to the district and high courts for trials and the route to the jail is not very secure, he said.

Since the government lifted the moratorium on executions and a large number of convicted prisoners in high profile terrorism cases are being hanged in different prisons, authorities are more concerned about ensuring foolproof security of prison facilities.

A senior official of the prison department told Dawn that Central Jail Adiala has been fully secured as troops, Rangers and Elite Force personnel have been deployed there so nobody can breach the security.

As many as 47 high-profile prisoners involved in terrorism-related cases including those involved in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and former governor Salman Taseer, attack on Nato oil tankers in Chakwal and MPA murder case of City police station Jhang have been detained in Adiala. Some have cases under trial, others have already been awarded life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made by law enforcement agencies to trace the two prisoners who managed to escape from Gilgit-Baltistan jail last month.

Inspector General of Prison Punjab Farooq Nazir was not available for comment.

Published in Dawn March 9th , 2015

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