CHINIOT, Dec 11: Involvement of police in prisoners escapade from a lock-up had been confirmed.

At least 14 prisoners had escaped from the lock-up with the connivance of the guards while six of them had been arrested again.

Dawn learnt here on Tuesday that the prisoners were brought from the Jhang district jail to a temporary lock-up in katchery. Police guard Muhammad Yousaf reportedly arranged a meeting of two outsiders Shaukat Bhatti and Amanat Loona with prisoner Ijaz. The visitors provided a pistol to the prisoner and later opened indiscriminate firing which was returned by Ijaz. Cops on duty went away without offering any resistance.

Eyewitnesses claimed it was a planned drama. They said three accomplices asked the prisoners to escape.

Police party, headed by ASP Rao Abdul Karim, reached the spot and various raids were conducted at the dens of the criminals. Ijaz, Anwar Aasi, Ahmad Yar, Nawaz, Bashir Tarar and Sher Rajoka were rearrested.

A case has been registered against the police guards.