PTI MLAs ‘on the run’, others recaptured after prison van escape

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police on Friday claimed to have foiled an armed attack on three prison vans by attackers to free Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPs, government officials and policemen detained in the D-Chowk demonstration case.

Unidentified assailants gunned down three prison vans carrying “82 accused, including PTI members of the provincial assembly (MPA), government officials and policemen, to Attock jail” after a court hearing, police added.

One of the prison vans was carrying PTI MPAs Anwar Zaib, Liaquat and Yasir Qureshi.

The PTI MPs, among other detainees, managed to escape from the prison vans following the gun attack, however, they were re-arrested by Islamabad police.

The armed attack took place at the Sangjani Toll Plaza, police sources said, adding that it was like an ambush as the gunmen had already taken up positions before the vans arrived at the toll plaza.

The attackers slashed the tires of the vans and later opened fire on the policemen, leaving four policemen injured who were rushed to hospital.

Images of the incident, obtained by Geo Newsrevealed that a mobile police van in the prison van convoy was also damaged in the attack.

Following the armed attack, Islamabad Inspector General (IG) of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi said Geo News that 82 prisoners were present in the prison vans being transported to the Attock jail after being produced before a court in the federal capital.

He said all the inmates, who fled after the attack, were re-arrested as the police foiled the escape attempt. Rizvi confirmed that the absconding inmates also include two MPAs who were also taken back into custody.

A police spokesman in Islamabad said senior officers along with heavy contingents rushed to the spot and search operations were launched in various areas to find the culprits.

Sangjani incident staged to file false cases: PTI

On the other hand, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused Islamabad Police of “using these tactics to file more fake cases against party workers”.

In a statement, Akram claimed that more than 80 party affiliates were produced before a court for hearing a case filed at Sangjani police station today.

The court has released all PTI workers from the case, he added.

The spokesperson of the party founded by Imran Khan claimed that the detainees were brought to Attock Jail and their vans were taken to Chungi Number 26, adding that they were all booked in another case filed at the Police Secretariat today.

Rejecting police claims that he faced an armed attack, Akram claimed that a station house officer (SHO) and other policemen broke the window of a mobile police van and jail vans after taking out all the inmates.

He claimed that the PTI inmates were asked to run away but they refused to run away.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur called the Sangjani incident “a drama staged by the fake government and Islamabad police” to show that the prisoners were escaping.

The KP chief executive warned the authorities in Islamabad, saying that the arrested persons must be transported safely, otherwise the home minister, IG, DIG and other senior officers would be held accountable.

Sea raiders being pursued: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar blamed the main opposition party for orchestrating the “armed attack on prison vans” carrying 83 inmates near the Sangjani Toll Plaza.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, he claimed that up to 30 people in four cars attacked vans to help the detainees escape from police custody, who successfully repelled the attack. Two policemen were injured, but all who tried to flee were re-arrested.

He confirmed that four attackers were arrested along with the seizure of weapons and two cars used in the attack.

Rejecting the PTI spokesperson’s claims that the attack was staged by the police, Tarar termed the party’s reaction as “ridiculous” and said the authorities have the CCTV footage of the attack.

Tarar said the rest of the attackers and their cars have been traced and will be taken into custody soon. All those involved in planning and supporting the attack will face the law, he added.

Several PTI leaders, as well as the sisters of party founder Imran Khan, were detained during the protest demonstration in Islamabad on October 4.

However, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad granted bail to Khan’s sister – Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan – in the D-Chowk protest case registered at Kohsar police station earlier today.

The former ruling party launched its anti-government campaign for the “independence” of the judiciary and the release of the former prime minister from prison.