Srinagar hospital firing: MHA advises state to review security measures, says sources

In wake of the escape of a Pakistani terrorist from Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) in Srinagar, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has advised the Jammu and Kashmir government to look into the gaps in jail administration and thoroughly review security measures, sources at the ministry said.

The state government, on its part, has ordered a time-bound enquiry by Divisional Commissioner of Srinagar, among other measures.

The MHA sources informed that the enquiry committee is to fix responsibility for lapses if any, and examine why hardened terrorists were taken to the OPD rather than doctors being deputed to examine them in the hospital itself. The Committee has to submit its report within 15 days.

The state government has also decided to immediately review cases of hardened and dreaded terrorists for shifting to other jails, and to this end, seven terrorists have already been relocated to other jails.

Cases of other terrorists in custody are being reviewed and more terrorists are likely to be shifted.

To ensure full vigilance over terrorist prisoners, the state government has also decided to involve CRPF in all aspects of Central Jail's security.

Following the mishap, the Director General (DG) of Prisons, Jammu and Kashmir has also been transferred, while the Central Jail Superintendent, Hilal Ahmad Rather has been suspended and replaced by Additional SP of Anantnag Mukesh Kumar Kakkar at present.

On February 6, a group of attackers opened fire at the police party that was escorting Pakistani terrorist Naveed Jatt along with six fellow prisoners, from the Central Jail, Srinagar to SMHS Hospital for their medical checkup.

The commotion that ensued allowed Jatt to escape and the firing claimed the lives of two security personnel.

Till now, four persons have been arrested in this connection.