Gunmen Free Khalistan Liberation Force Chief From Punjab Jail; MHA Seeks Report

Ten armed men raided the high security Nabha Jail in Punjab on Sunday morning, rained bullets at security guards, and managed to free Khalistan Liberation Force (KLO) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo and four others.

A team of senior police officers rushed to the spot and a high alert has been issued across the state.

Mintoo was arrested by Punjab Police from Delhi's IGI Airport in 2014.

He was arrested in connection with 10 cases including the 2008 attack on Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and recovery of explosives at Halwara Air Force station in 2010.Also Read: Nabha Jailbreak: Woman Killed as Cops Fire at Car Jumping Barricade

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “A special task force has been set up to track down escaped convicts. We have suspended Nabha jail DGP and the superintendent of jail was dismissed. A team under ADGP has been formed to investigate the incident; strict action will be taken against whoever responsible."

Meanwhile, Home Ministry seeks report from Punjab Government over the incident.Also Read: Centre Seeks Report From Punjab Govt on Nabha Jailbreak

An alert was sounded in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Rajasthan and special check posts were set up to arrest them. Punjab govt announces reward of Rs 25 lakh to any person providing information leading to arrest of escaped prisoners.Also Read: Nabha Jailbreak: Top Officials Suspended, Dismissed, Says Deputy CM

According to police, six to eight persons in police uniforms came on four vehicles Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Hyundai i20 and fired several shots before escaping with the six inmates.

(With PTI inputs)