Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that 78 of the 216 inmates who escaped from Karachi’s District Malir Jail on Monday night have been recaptured, with an extensive search still underway to locate the rest.
The jailbreak followed earthquake tremors that prompted the jail administration to temporarily evacuate prisoners from their barracks, creating confusion and panic.
Fifty inmates were found hiding within the jail premises, 19 were caught during roadside checks in rickshaws and other vehicles, and 8 were apprehended by Sukhun Police and are now in custody.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed the incident, saying, “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 confirmed that 216 inmates escaped and 83 had since been re-arrested. One prisoner died during the chaos, and Shah urged remaining fugitives to surrender or face Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) charges.
The jailbreak occurred when the prison administration, fearing structural damage from the tremors, unlocked the barracks to avoid casualties. Over 1,000 inmates gathered near the Mari Gate, where some broke locks and began climbing the walls.
Prison staff and Frontier Corps (FC) attempted to contain the situation with aerial firing, but things escalated when one inmate reportedly seized a Kalashnikov from a police officer and opened fire, injuring two FC personnel and a police officer. Others attacked jail staff with stones and sticks.
The firing caused panic in nearby residential areas, disrupting traffic on the National Highway.
Roads were sealed and long traffic jams were reported near Malir Kala Board and Quaidabad. Jail authorities reported that around 6,000 prisoners were inside the facility when the tremors hit.
DIG Prisons Hassan Sahito confirmed panic led to the breaking of locks and multiple escape points being used, noting many of the escapees were repeat drug offenders.
Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar confirmed the jailbreak and said a full investigation is underway, adding, “It is yet to be determined whether the breakout occurred due to a wall breach or simply the locks being broken.”
Three FC personnel were seriously injured in the chaos, with others hurt and treated at a private hospital. In response, police, Rangers, and FC personnel were deployed in and around the jail to regain control and prevent further escapes.
Both directions of the National Highway near the jail were closed as part of a sweeping manhunt in areas like Gaddafi Town, Shah Latif Town, and Bhains Colony.
The jail compound has now been secured, with Rangers handling external security and police reinforcing the interior. A full internal search has been completed, and officials have confirmed that order has been restored.
To aid the search, mosque announcements were made in local neighborhoods describing the escapees and urging residents to report sightings.
In some areas, residents were asked to vacate their homes temporarily during security sweeps. As of now, 138 fugitives remain unaccounted for, and the headcount and verification process continues.
Authorities are also examining whether the recent series of earthquakes, including the strongest one measuring 3.6 magnitude just before the incident, played a direct role in the jailbreak.
Karachi has experienced 9 to 11 tremors in the past 48 hours, with epicenters in Malir, Quaidabad, and DHA. Fearing more quakes, many residents have moved outdoors and spent nights in tents.
Some women in these neighborhoods spent Monday reciting the Quran for spiritual protection.
Meanwhile, the area around the jail remains sealed off as police, Rangers, Special Security Unit (SSU), and Special Response Force (SRF) continue their search for the escaped prisoners.
A formal inquiry into the incident will begin once the situation is fully under control.