GILGIT, Dec 13 : Two under-trial prisoners kept in separate barracks of Cheeta sub-jail hoodwinked the jail officials and escaped the other day, police said on Thursday.

“The two prisoners were jailed in two high-profile assassination cases of murder of a religious scholar and senior revenue officer,” the officials said.

They said that Shakirullah was allegedly involved in the murder case of Aga Ziauddin whose death followed riots.

They said that the same man was also declared as the main culprit in a case of life attempt on former president Pervez Musharraf at Shandur Point of Ghizer district.

Another accused, Qari Arifullah, was allegedly involved in the murder of tehsildar Akbar, who was killed two years ago.

The police said that six officials, including two jail wardens and four policemen, were arrested for negligence of duty and an inquiry had been ordered to fix the responsibility.

Cases have also been registered against these officials, they said. GB Chief Minister Mehdi Shah has also ordered investigations into the prisoners’ escape through a judicial commission and directed the home department to ensure compliance of Section 144.

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