Pakistan Jail Turns Into Battlefield As 216 Inmates Escape Amid Earthquake-Induced Chaos

Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 10:38 IST

This incident underscores ongoing concerns about prison security in Pakistan, particularly in facilities like Malir Jail.

Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in and around the jail premises.

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday night, 216 prisoners escaped from Karachi’s District Jail Malir, commonly known as “Bacha Jail," during a period of seismic activity that caused widespread panic. According to reports from SamaTV, the tremors led to chaos within the facility, which the inmates exploited to overpower jail staff and flee.

Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in and around the jail premises, intensifying fear among residents in nearby areas. In response, authorities temporarily closed several routes, including the National Highway, as police and Rangers established cordons to secure the vicinity.

SSP Malir, Kashif Aftab Abbasi, stated that a substantial contingent of police and paramilitary forces promptly arrived at the scene, sealing off adjacent settlements, highways, and villages to prevent further escapes. An extensive manhunt is currently underway to recapture the escaped inmates.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns about prison security in Pakistan, particularly in facilities like Malir Jail, which have previously faced scrutiny over management and safety protocols.

Announcements were made from mosques across Malir, urging locals to cooperate in locating and apprehending the escaped inmates.

According to the SamaTV, DIG Jail Hassan Sahetu and Director General Rangers Sindh, Major General Muhammad Shamrez, visited the facility to assess and bolster security arrangements.

As chaos engulfed the prison, it resembled a battlefield. Over 600 inmates from Circles No. 4 and 5 had been gathered outside their barracks for routine procedures when the tremors struck. The sudden panic escalated into a riot-like scenario, creating the conditions that allowed the mass escape.c

Abhro Banerjee

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...Read More

Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, includ...

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