All escaped prisoners, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders, who were freed after unidentified gunmen attacked a police prison van in Islamabad were recaptured on Friday, the police chief said.

“All escaped prisoners have since been recaptured and are being transferred back to Islamabad,” Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi told Geo News.

Several suspects ran away after gunmen attacked three police vans transporting prisoners involved in terrorism cases linked to the PTI in the federal capital

There were reports that the vans were carrying over 150 inmates, however, the IGP stated that at least 82 suspects were present in the vans. They were being shifted to Attock Jail after a court appearance.

Attackers opened fire on the prison vans at the Sangjani Toll Plaza, shattering windows and creating chaos. Following the assault, several prisoners managed to escape from the vehicles, leading to a significant security breach.

It was feared that three PTI MPAs managed to escape during the chaos.

“Police successfully thwarted attempts to facilitate the prisoners’ escape,” IGP Rizvi said.

Among those who fled were two members of the provincial assembly (MPAs), who have also been apprehended.

The IGP claimed that the attackers numbered between 18 to 20 individuals, including the son of one MPA. Police have arrested four of the assailants, which include the MPA’s son, a police officer, and two other suspects.

Police handled situation bravely

According to a police statement, approximately 20 suspects travelling in four vehicles launched an attack on prisoner vans near the Sangjani Toll Plaza. The assailants were reportedly armed with weapons, sticks, and stones.

The attack resulted in injuries to four police officers, while four attackers were apprehended at the scene. Authorities also seized two vehicles and weapons belonging to the suspects.

Police stated that teams were formed to capture any remaining suspects and have initiated search operations in various areas. All escaped prisoners have been recaptured, it added.

“The police teams responded to the situation with great bravery,” the statement said.

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Tarar blames PTI for prison van attack

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that the attack on prisoner vans was orchestrated by the PTI in an attempt to free the detainees. He warned that those involved in the attack would be apprehended.

“This was a premeditated assault,” Tarar stated and added that KP MPA Liaquat Sahibzada and four other suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. He also mentioned the recovery of two vehicles and two weapons used during the attack.

According to the minister, the assailants fired upon police officers while trying to release the prisoners. He highlighted the PTI’s alleged history of orchestrating coordinated attacks, referencing the riots of May 9 as evidence of the party’s tendency toward “the politics of violence.”

“When the prison van slowed down near Sangjani Toll Plaza, individuals in the four vehicles launched their attack and attempted to free the 82 prisoners,” Tarar added.

The information minister vowed to take strict legal action and warned that the suspects would be “made an example of”.

PTI accuses police of orchestrating prisoner escape incident

The PTI accused the police of orchestrating the prisoner escape incident, alleging that the policemen who brought the party’s leaders to jail asked them to escape during their return. He claimed that his party leaders did not run away and stood at the site.

In a video message, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram referred to the assault on the prison vans by unidentified individuals as a “drama” staged by the police.

Around 82 PTI leaders were presented in the court and the judge subsequently granted them bail, he said and added that all individuals were arrested at the secretariat following the incident at Sangjani.

Akram claimed that his party leaders were attacked in the Tarnol area.

“The incumbent government will not succeed in its ‘drama’ against the PTI. There are ongoing plots against our party, but our members will remain steadfast and will not flee,” he said.