Authorities have recaptured 87 of the 216 inmates who escaped from District Prison Malir in Karachi on Monday night, confirmed the Sindh police chief on Tuesday. One escapee was shot dead during the breakout.
Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed in an interview that 78 escapees have been recaptured, and a massive search operation is currently in progress to locate the remaining fugitives after 216 inmates escaped from Karachi’s District Malir Jail on Monday night after earthquake tremors triggered a temporary evacuation of prisoners from their barracks.
Of these, 50 were found hiding within the jail quarters, 19 were intercepted during snap-checking operations in rickshaws and other vehicles by Malir City Police, and 8 were arrested by Sukhun Police and are currently being held at the local station.
Addressing the recent jailbreak from Malir Jail, Sindh’s Murad Ali Shah expressed serious concern and confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
“Initial reports suggest inmates were evacuated due to earthquake tremors, which triggered panic. This was a wrong decision, and those responsible will be held accountable,” he said in a news conference.
The CM confirmed that 216 prisoners had escaped during the incident and that 83 had been recaptured.
One inmate died during the chaos. Shah urged the remaining fugitives to surrender voluntarily or face Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) charges.
He emphasized the need for better coordination during emergencies and promised administrative reform
Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah told reporters that the inmates took advantage of the chaotic evacuation to flee the facility.
According to authorities, the jail administration unlocked barracks to prevent casualties after tremors caused fears of structural collapse.
Over 1,000 inmates gathered near the Mari Gate, and in the ensuing panic and chaos, some inmates broke the gate’s locks and began scaling the prison walls to flee.
Prison staff and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel attempted to contain the situation with aerial firing, but the disorder escalated when one inmate reportedly snatched a Kalashnikov rifle from a police officer and opened fire indiscriminately.
The gunfire left two FC personnel and one police officer injured, while other inmates attacked jail staff with stones and sticks.
The firing caused widespread panic in nearby residential areas and halted traffic on both sides of the National Highway.
Long lines of vehicles formed near Malir Kala Board and Qaidabad, and traffic police sealed off roads leading to the jail.
According to DIG Prisons Hassan Sahito, around 6,000 prisoners were present in the facility when the tremors hit.
“Panic quickly spread among inmates. Some began breaking locks and attempting to flee from multiple points,” he told private news channels.
Sahito also mentioned that several of those who escaped were habitual drug offenders.
Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, speaking to media outside the prison in a televised briefing, confirmed the jailbreak and said an official count of escapees is ongoing.
“It is yet to be determined whether the breakout occurred due to a wall breach or simply the locks being broken,” he said, adding that a full investigation is underway to identify the causes and those responsible.
Rescue teams reported that three FC personnel sustained serious injuries in the stampede that followed the chaos, while several others were hurt and treated at a private hospital.
Read: Light earthquake jolts Karachi; no damage reported
Wide-scale manhunt launched
The incident prompted an emergency response, with police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps (FC) forces deployed in and around the jail to regain control and prevent further escapes.
In response to the escape, both lanes of the National Highway near the jail were closed, and a wide-scale manhunt was launched in neighboring areas such as Gaddafi Town, Shah Latif Town, and Bhains Colony.
The entire jail compound has since been secured, with Rangers taking over external security and police reinforced inside.
Authorities have completed a full internal search of the prisons, confirming that the situation is now under control.
Announcements were made through mosques in various neighborhoods with descriptions of the escaped inmates, urging residents to report sightings.
During the search, some residents were asked to vacate their homes temporarily as part of security sweeps.
Authorities continue efforts to locate the remaining 138 escapees as a full investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak.
With rangers, Special Security Unit (SSU), Special Response Force (SRF), and local police all participating in the operation, authorities have since secured the jail compound, and officials confirmed that the situation inside is now under control.
A complete headcount and verification process is ongoing to identify all who escaped.
Investigators continue to assess whether recent earthquakes directly contributed to the jailbreak.
With concerns raised over the facility’s structural integrity following the tremors, jail authorities are assessing the site for further risks.
Earthquake Tremors
Karachi experienced 9 to 11 tremors over the last 48 hours, with the strongest registering 3.6 magnitude. The most recent quake was recorded at 11:16 PM, shortly before the incident.
News sources have linked the jailbreak to structural vulnerabilities caused by seismic activity.
Experts linked the tremors to underground tectonic movements and the release of seismic energy.
The epicenters of the quakes were concentrated in Malir, Quaidabad, and DHA.
Fearing further quakes, many residents of Malir and surrounding areas set up tents in open spaces and avoided sleeping indoors.
Women in affected neighborhoods spent much of Monday engaged in Quranic recitation for spiritual protection.
Read: Inmates escape from Karachi’s Malir jail after breaking wall
Previously, authorities confirmed 20 of the escaped inmates were recaptured, while efforts to locate and detain the others continued.
The area surrounding the prison has been cordoned off as part of an intensified manhunt.
According to initial reports, gunfire erupted in the vicinity of the jail following the escape attempt.
Police forces, aided by other law enforcement units, quickly mobilised and launched a large-scale search operation to apprehend the fugitives.
Police have urged citizens to avoid the area and report any suspicious activity immediately.
A formal inquiry into the security breach is expected once the situation is brought under control.
