Six prisoners who were under trial have managed to flee while being transported to jail in Bahawalpur, after overpowering the policemen accompanying them in Lodhran district.
A total of eight prisoners were being taken to the New Central Jail from their court appearance in Jalapur Peerwala, when they were able to seize the weapons of the policemen guarding them. They proceeded to open fire on the police personnel, killing fellow prisoner Bashir Ahmed and wounding three policemen: Sub-Inspector Rafiq Ahmed, Constable Muhammad Ahsan and Constable Imran. The wounded were moved to hospital for treatment.
The escaped prisoners were able to grab motorcycles from passers-by to make good their escape.
Checkpoints have been established along roads in the entire Bahawalpur district in an effort to apprehend the escaped prisoners. The new Additional Inspector-General of Police for South Punjab Dr Ehsan Sadiq, as well as Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, have ordered the immediate arrest of the fugitives.
