The seismic activity, which included at least 16 mild tremors, ranging from 2.6 to 3.6 in magnitude, rattled the Malir district and surrounding areas. Amid fears of structural damage, jail authorities evacuated several hundred inmates from their cells, inadvertently providing a window for escape. However, taking advantage of the situation over 200 prisoners escaped the jail.
216 prisoners break free
According to Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah, 216 prisoners took advantage of the situation to flee the facility. The escape occurred after inmates from Circles 4 and 5 were brought into the courtyard for safety.
“More than 600 prisoners were out of their cells. Amid the panic, 216 managed to break out,” Shah told Geo TV. “The incident is not a security lapse, it’s all due to a natural disaster,” the official added.
During the escape, gunfire erupted after a group of inmates reportedly attacked guards, seized weapons, and forced the main gate open. One prisoner was killed in the incident. Three Frontier Corps personnel, along with a jail staffer, sustained injuries in the chaos.
Search Operation Underway
Following the incident the authorities recaptured at least 80 of the fugitives, while over 135 still remain at large. A joint operation involving local police and paramilitary forces is ongoing to locate and re-arrest the remaining escapees. Sindh’s Home Minister, Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, confirmed that all escaped inmates have been identified, and targeted raids are being conducted.
Lanjar described the event as “one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years” and announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident. Potential negligence by prison staff is also under review.
Drug-related offenders on the run
According to reports, the Malir Jail houses over 6,000 inmates. The jail primarily holds individuals charged with drug-related offenses. Many of them reportedly suffer from psychological issues, which may have contributed to the heightened panic following the tremors.
Inspector General of Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, during a visit to the prison, acknowledged that the earthquake triggered fear and confusion among the prisoners. He also noted a concerning lack of surveillance infrastructure. He revealed that no CCTV cameras were operational at the time of the escape.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath
The eyewitness staying near the prison reported hearing intense gunfire. They also witnessed inmates fleeing barefoot into nearby streets and residential complexes. A local security guard said that some escapees even entered buildings in the area before being apprehended.
Furthermore, footages on social media captured the chaotic scenes around Malir Jail. This includes inmates running and police vehicles arriving at the scene. Inside the prison, damage was evident, shattered glass, broken equipment, and a ransacked visitation room. This reflected the scale of the disruption and damage to the prison.
