RAWALPINDI: As many as 14 under-trial prisoners (UTPs) overpowered security staff and escaped from a prison van while being transported from Kahuta to Adiala Central Jail on Monday.

Soon after the escape, police launched a manhunt and rearrested four of the fleeing prisoners. “Police have been searching the areas for fleeing prisoners at night,” SHO Kahuta Nadeem Altaf told Dawn.

Special police pickets had been established at four sensitive points connecting Rawalpindi and Azad Kashmir, and personnel deployed there had been directed to remain on high alert and maintain round-the-clock vigilance.

The Azad Pattan police picket falls within the limits of Kahuta police station. Security at these pickets has been further tightened to prevent terrorism and avert any untoward incident in the prevailing security situation across the country.

The incident occurred when a group of about 36 under-trial prisoners was being transported from Kahuta to Adiala Central Jail after court proceedings in their respective cases.

As the prison van was passing through the Sihala area (Chakian Stop) en route to Adiala, the prisoners started fighting inside the vehicle. On noticing the worsening situation, the van was stopped.

According to initial police reports, as the van was stopped and its door was opened, the prisoners overpowered the security guards, apparently after throwing red chilli powder into their eyes and 14 prisoners managed to escape.

Rawalpindi police said four of the escapees were re-arrested, while a manhunt was launched to arrest the remaining ten.

A police spokesman said City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani took notice of the incident in the Sihala area and directed senior officers to reach the spot and submit a report, besides conducting an operation.

Special teams have been carrying out search operations in the area to arrest the remaining suspects. The escaped individuals were under-trial prisoners.

The incident took place within the limits of Sihala police station. Coordination is underway with the concerned police, the spokesman said. He added that, according to initial investigations, a fight broke out among the prisoners inside the van, which led to the incident.

The escapees will be arrested soon and action will be taken according to law, the spokesman said, adding that an inquiry has been launched under senior officers and strict departmental action will be taken against those found negligent.

Till the filing of this report, search for the remaining ten UTPs was ongoing.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026