LAHORE, July 26: A head-constable, who sustained injuries in a shootout in the Sialkot district jail on Friday, said in the Mayo Hospital that he was injured while shielding judge Zafar Husain.

Talking to reporters at the hospital on Saturday, Riaz Khokhar said the prisoners had taken seven judges and three deputy superintendents hostage when the latter stopped at barrack 7 for inspection.

He said the armed prisoners who had started firing in the air after taking them hostage also opened fire on the other seven judges who were a few yards away from them.

He said a bullet hit him when he covered Mr Husain.

Meanwhile, doctor on duty said the constable was in stable condition.

He said the policeman was hit in the abdomen. The bullet has been removed and he was recovering fast, added the doctor.