Karachi prison break: Suspects used main gate, not boundary wall to escape, says CTD
AIG Sanaullah Abbasi questions why two LeJ suspects were brought to court when judge was off
June 16, 2017
KARACHI: Officials of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) revealed on Friday that the inmates who escaped late Wednesday night from Karachi's Central Jail's adjoining judicial complex changed their appearance in the judge’s bathroom.
The CTD has taken over the investigation into the escape of the two suspected target killers, who reportedly belonged to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
CTD Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi disclosed that one of the suspects, Sheikh Muhammad, shaved in a bathroom located next to the chamber of anti-terrorism court-III judge in the judicial complex. The CTD chief said they have recovered a shaving kit along with facial hair from the toilet.
He also questioned why the suspects, undergoing trial in the court, were brought to the judicial complex when the judge was not present that day.
Abbasi also ruled out the possibility that the suspects climbed over the boundary wall to escape, saying the inmates went out using the main gate of the judicial complex.
Meanwhile, authorities launched a search operation in the jail early Friday morning. A headcount of all the prisoners was conducted while a search of their barracks resulted in the discovery of drugs and other prohibited items.
Sources said for the time being, conjugal visits have also been suspended whereas intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the inmates.
The two suspects who escaped, Sheikh Muhammad and Ahmed Khan Arif Manako, were arrested by the CTD in 2013 over their involvement in dozens of targeted killings.
Following their escape, 12 police personnel, including the jail superintendent and his deputy, were arrested at the behest of the Sindh law and prisons minister. A case was also registered against them in the New Town Police Station.
