Several escaped as armed men attack three prisoner vans in Islamabad

Islamabad: Unidentified suspects allegedly attacked three police vehicles transporting the prisoners of terrorism cases in an attempt to free them near Sangjani Toll Plaza on Friday.

The Islamabad police thwarted the attack, arresting four assailants, while four police officers were injured in the incident.

Sources said that unknown assailants fired at the vehicles carrying detainees near the Sangjani Toll Plaza.

According to the report, the prisoner vans attacked included suspects from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) involved in terrorism cases. Unidentified individuals allegedly launched the attack to free these detainees, but the attempt was foiled.

Sources indicated that the attackers fired at the police prisoner vans, burst tyres, and shattered windows. Upon receiving the information, a large police contingent arrived at the scene. The assailants, numbering between 25 and 30, also opened fire.

Police sources stated that the vans were transporting over 150 detainees from Attock Jail for court hearings.

The detainees were safely moved from the scene to Islamabad. Authorities have launched a search operation to locate the attackers, interviewing eyewitnesses about the incident. So far, none of the attackers who escaped have been apprehended.

Later, a statement from the Islamabad police spokesperson said that police were transporting 82 detainees back to Attock Jail after their court appearances when suspects in four vehicles attacked the prisoner vans near the Sangjani Toll Plaza. The attackers were armed with weapons, sticks, and stones.

The statement noted that four police officers were injured in the attack, and three assailants were arrested.

The Islamabad police added that senior officers, along with a large police contingent, were on-site, carefully assessing the situation. Teams have been formed to apprehend the attackers, and search operations have begun in various areas. Legal action against the attackers is underway.