Six suspected SIMI members break out of jail

Another prisoner too escaped along with them, but was caught by locals

Khandwa: **COMBO** (Clockwise from top left)- File photos of SIMI activists Ejazuddin, Jakir Husain, Aslam, Mehboob alias Guddu and Abu Faizal who escaped from the district prison in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. Two more SIMI activists also escaped along with them but on was held later. PTI Photo (PTI10_1_2013_000179B)

In a daring midnight jailbreak, six alleged members of the Students Islamic Movement of India, along with another undertrial, escaped from a district prison in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh and stabbed two constables on patrol, before fleeing with their wireless sets, bolt action rifles and motorcycle.

One of the escapees, Abid Mirza, who is a not a SIMI member, was later caught and thrashed by locals who mistook him for a thief.

In the incident that took place in Shahid Loknayak Tantya Bhil District Jail in Khandwa, 272 km from here, at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the seven inmates had broken open the ventilator of their barrack and scaled the wall using blankets tied together into a rope, the police said.

Suspended

The deputy superintendent in-charge of the jail, Sunil Sharma, and five other officers have been suspended and a magisterial enquiry ordered. zA reward of Rs. 1 lakh has been announced for information on each of the escapees — Abu Faizal, Zakir Husain, Amjad Khan, Mehboob Khan, Aslam Khan and Ejazuddin, who had been in jail since 2011 accused of murder, dacoity and communal violence.