Islamabad, 30 June (H.S.): Fourteen prisoners escaped from a jail van in Pakistan's Rawalpindi after allegedly throwing chilli powder into the eyes of security personnel, police said. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation, and four of the escapees have been recaptured so far. The incident took place in the Kahuta area of Rawalpindi.

According to reports by Geo News and Dunya News, a spokesperson for the Rawalpindi Police said on Monday that a search operation was launched immediately after the prisoners fled from the prison transport vehicle. Four of the escaped prisoners have since been apprehended, while special police teams are continuing efforts to trace and arrest the remaining 10 fugitives.

The police spokesperson said a report on the incident has been sought from the concerned authorities. Preliminary investigations indicate that a violent altercation broke out among the prisoners inside the van shortly before the escape.

The prisoners were being transported back to Adiala Jail after being produced before a court when the incident occurred. Police said the prison van had been stopped for a routine security check when one of the prisoners allegedly threw chilli powder into the eyes of the escorting personnel, creating confusion that enabled 14 inmates to flee.

The incident has once again raised concerns over prison security in Pakistan.

A similar incident occurred last year when more than 200 prisoners escaped from Malir Jail in Karachi after inmates were evacuated during earthquake tremors. At least one prisoner was killed and several security personnel were injured during that incident. More than 80 of the escaped prisoners were later recaptured.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar