Heads roll as 216 prisoners escape in Karachi mass jailbreak, 80 rearrested

As many as 216 prisoners escaped in a mass jailbreak in Karachi prompting authorities to launch a major search operation during which over 80 were rearrested and one was killed, prompting the Sindh government to remove top prison officials, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The dramatic incident happened at the Malir District Jail, also known as Bacha Jail, late Monday night.

On the orders of Sindh government, DIG Jail Sukkur Aslam Malik has been appointed as DIG Jail Karachi. According to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Sindh, Additional IG Malir will probe the incident. More than twenty constables and head constables of the department have also been suspended over gross negligence.

According to jail and police officials, the mass escape was triggered amid chaos caused by a string of mild earthquakes which hit the megacity on Monday.

During the tremors on Monday, the inmates were moved out of their barracks for safety reasons.

During the commotion caused by the tremors, the prisoners overwhelmed the jail staff which led to a violent standoff with security staff resulting in exchange of heavy firing both inside and outside the prison.

Several roads, including the National Highway, were shut down as Rangers and police personnel cordoned off the whole area.

216 prisoners escape in Karachi mass jailbreak, 80 rearrested
As many as 216 prisoners escaped in a mass jailbreak in Karachi prompting authorities to launch a major search operation during which over 80 were rearrested and one was killed. https://t.co/2aHoRw2xU5 pic.twitter.com/i49jhmVNOv

— 24 News HD (@24NewsHD) June 3, 2025

SSP Malir Kashif Aftab Abbasi informed media men that a large contingent of police and paramilitary forces rushed to the jail within minutes and sealed off nearby settlements, highways, and villages. “Announcements were made from mosques across Malir, appealing for public’s cooperation in rearresting the escaped inmates,” the police officer added.

More than 600 prisoners from Circles No. 4 and 5 were seated outside their barracks due to internal jail procedures after tremors occurred. The situation quickly spiralled into a riot-like situation, turning the prison into what officials described as a "battlefield".

Prison authorities opened fire in an attempt to regain control, resulting in injuries to five security personnel, including two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel. One prisoner was killed and three others were injured during the exchange of firing. The injured were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment.

Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, who visited the jail on Tuesday morning along with Sindh Prisons Minister Ali Hassan Zardari, denied that any wall of the prison was breached due to tremors which led to the mass jailbreak. “No external breach occurred. The escape happened because a large number of prisoners — over 800 — were outside their cells at the time,” he said, adding the situation is now under control.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 80 of the escaped inmates had been rearrested during search operations conducted in the limits of Sukhna Police Station and Kohi Goth. Law enforcement agencies have launched an intensive manhunt and have tightened surveillance around railway stations, bus terminals, and key exit routes from the port city.

In an unexpected twist, a incident was also reported in which a mother brought her son — an escaped prisoner — back to the jail.

Security personnel have rearrested an escaped prisoners.

A preliminary inquiry has found serious lapses in jail management and internal security. Sindh Home Minister Lanjar directed the Inspector General of Prisons and other senior officials to submit a comprehensive report on the incident. “Those found negligent will face action at the highest level,” he said, adding “The government will not tolerate such failures in the security of sensitive facilities.”

Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah said the total number of inmates in Malir Jail stands at around 6,000, and a detailed headcount is underway to ascertain the exact number of prisoners still at large.

Senior police officials have acknowledged that the situation is now under control, but admitted that the incident has exposed critical gaps in prison security that require urgent attention.

Lanjar said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has been fully briefed on the situation, adding the CM has directed him to visit the prison personally to oversee the situation.

The Home Minister added that the identities and records of all escaped prisoners are available, and raids are being carried out at their homes and surrounding areas.

Over 200 prisoners escape in Karachi mass jailbreak
As many as 216 prisoners escaped in a mass jailbreak in Karachi prompting authorities to launch a major search operation during which over 80 were rearrested and one was killed. https://t.co/2aHoRw204x pic.twitter.com/BfbUUxDx9z

— 24 News HD (@24NewsHD) June 3, 2025

A joint search operation involving the Special Security Unit (SSU), the Rapid Response Force (RRF) was launched to track down the remaining escapees. After the operation was wrapped up, the contingents of police, the Rangers and the FC took control of the jail.

The Sindh Minister for Prisons stated that disciplinary action will be taken against any officials found negligent. He also stressed that the search for the remaining fugitives will continue until all are apprehended.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also took notice of the incident and expressed serious concern over the security lapse. He called on the home minister and the Inspector General of Sindh Police to ensure the immediate arrest of all escapees. 

The governor said that he was confident that the provincial government and police would soon bring all the prisoners back into custody.

Heads roll as two-member panel will conduct inquiry

The Sindh government has decided to remove IG Prisons following mass jailbreak in Karachi.

DIG Prisons and Jail Superintendent were also suspended.

Two-member committee consisting Karachi commissioner and additional IG will conduct thorough inquiry into the Malir jailbreak.

It has also been decided to lodge cases against jail officials if the escaped prisoners were not rearrested in 24 hours.

Protesting families seek meetings with inmates

Karachi came to a standstill on the National Highway as families of the inmates in Malir Jail staged a protest, demanding meeting with their imprisoned loved ones. However, jail authorities have refused to allow entry to any of the relatives of the inmates.

According to the TV channel report, the protest demonstration caused a massive traffic jam, with long queues of vehicles stretching across the highway.

The protesters, who included relatives of the recently escaped inmates, raised serious questions about the security situation within the prison. 

"How did the inmates manage to escape? Were the police officers asleep?" asked several angry family members.

Tensions escalated when the wife of one of the inmates threatened to commit suicide outside the jail if she was not allowed to meet her husband. 

"If I’m not granted access, I will end my life right here," she cried during the protest.

After hours of disruption, the protest came to an end when the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be addressed and appropriate action would be taken.

Reporter Osama Malik