Over 230 prisoners escape in DI Khan jailbreak

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: As many as 243 prisoners escaped as militants carrying heavy weapons stormed Dera Ismail Khan’s Central Jail, holding as many as 5,000 prisoners including 250 inmates belonging to various banned outfits here on late Monday night, Geo News reported.

DI Khan Commissioner Mushtaq Jadoon said 243 prisoners including 30 militants escaped. However, police arrested six of them during the operation. Police said five suicide bombers were killed by security forces.

The attack on the hundred-year-old detention facility was blamed on weak security arrangements where inmates belonging to various banned organizations were held.

Nine people including six policemen were killed and 14 others injured in the audacious attack while four prisoners were also killed by security forces.

A curfew was clamped in the area after the militant engaged the security forces in a gunfight. The area plunged into darkness as the attackers destroyed electricity transformers. Officials said that the curfew was imposed to avoid any damage to public.

Hundreds of militants including Adnan Rasheed, a key Taliban figure involved in a life attempt on former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf were also freed in a similar attack in Bannu by Taliban insurgents last year.

Police and security forces rushed to the detention facility and cordoned off the area as militants attacked the prison with heavy weapons including mortars.

According to reports gun shots and almost 60 explosions were heard inside the prison.

DIG Prisons Khalid Abbas said that the Pakistan Army was called in after militant attack. He said that as many as 5000 prisoners including 250 belonging to banned outfits were held in the jail.

The proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack and said that over 100 militants, including suicide bombers took part in the attack.