KHAIRPUR, Nov 26: About 50 prisoners were shifted to other jails following an extensive search operation in the Khairpur Central Jail on Saturday morning. Three hundred officials took part in the operation and police force had also been called from Naushahro Feroze, Sukkur and Jacobabad districts.

Police surrounded the central jail and sealed all roads leading to the Khairpur city due to which traffic remained suspended.

Prisoners resisted the operation, some of whom were allegedly beaten. Some prisoners sustained minor injuries.

After the search, 15 prisoners were shifted to Badin, 10 to Jacobabad, 15 to Sanghar and 10 to the Sukkur Central Jail. Those shifted to other jails included Asghar Mahessar, Dino Mari, Manthar Khoso, Khuda Bux Kaleri, Raza Narejo, Sardar Narejo and Mithal Kandhro.

Two constables, Noor Nabi and Manzoor, were taken into custody for allegedly snatching gold chains and cash from two prisoners during the search operation.

The former chief patron of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba, Allama Ali Sher Hyderi, who is detained in the central jail, was kept alone in a barrack during the operation.

At a press briefing to a small group of journalists, the DIG, jails, Sukkur, said the search was conducted in connection with a bomb blast at the Sukkur Central Jail.

He claimed to have recovered 10 mobile phones, 33 chargers, two cameras, 13 mobile SIM cards, 27 prepaid mobile cards and other items.

He denied that some prisoners were tortured during the operation.

He said the 6am to 1pm operation was carried out under supervision of the judicial magistrate-1 of Khairpur.

Due to the search operation, no prisoner was produced in court for hearing.

Meanwhile, a meeting of journalists was held at the National Press Club which criticized the jail administration for not allowing senior reporters to attend the press briefing.

Ghulam Qadir Soomro presided over the meeting.