RAWALPINDI, Oct 30: Two handcuffed under-trial prisoners on Wednesday escaped from police custody after throwing red chilies into the eyes of the policemen guarding them.

According to the police, three prisoners, Alamzaib, Mujeebullah and Mohammad Islam, involved in narcotics cases, had been brought to a court for hearing of their cases. After the hearing, the three men, alongwith 14 other prisoners, were being lined up to be taken to Adiala Jail when they gave soft drinks to the police guards. They then threw red chilies into their eyes and fled. However, one of the prisoners, Mohammad Islam, was captured while the other two succeeded in escaping.

The police believe that a friend of the prisoners was a mastermind behind the incident, who provided red chilies to the prisoners and also served soft drinks to the policemen.

Five policemen have been arrested and cases registered against them. Investigations have also been started against four other policemen who were absent from duty, a police officer said.