7 suspected SIMI activists escape from MP district jail

Seven undertrial prisoners suspected to be from banned outfit SIMI, including two who had allegedly shot dead three persons in a broad daylight attack some years ago, escaped from the district jail here in the wee hours today.
The prisoners fled from Khandwa district jail around 3:30 AM after breaking the bathroom wall of the jail, Superintendent of Police Manoj Sharma told PTI.
Two constables -- Lokesh Hirve and Suro Tiwari -- who were deployed there, were also attacked with knives by the prisoners before they fled, he said.
The prisoners also took away the rifles of both the constables, leaving them badly injured, Sharma said, adding, the two were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.

After receiving information about the incident, two jawans of Cheetah force also tried to stop the accused from fleeing but could not do so despite an exchange of fire with them, sources said.
The suspected SIMI (Student Islamic Movement of India) activists snatched the wireless sets and loaded rifles of both the Cheetah jawans too, they said.

The prisoners who fled from jail are -- Amjad, Aslam, Zakir, Mehboob (all from Khandwa), Ejazuddin (of Narsinh Yard, Kareli), Abu Faizal (Juhu), Aabid Mirza (of Oont Kuwan, Hatampura, Khandwa) the SP said.
However, one of them, Aabid Mirza, was later caught from Sarvodaya Colony here, Sharma said, adding that the rest are absconding.

The Kotwali police received information about the whole episode around 5:15 AM and efforts were on to nab remaining six accused by forming 15 police teams, he said.
Taking serious note of the jail-breaking episode, Madhya Pradesh Jail Minister Antar Singh Arya has ordered a high- level probe into it.
The Minister told PTI at his Sendhwa residence that he has given orders to Principal Secretary, Jails, to immediately reach Khandwa.
Arya said that action would be taken against the guilty jail personnel after the probe was completed.