During the earthquake tremors that shook Karachi on Monday, inmates at Malir Jail were temporarily moved out of their barracks as a safety precaution, jail officials confirmed. It was during this period of confusion that several prisoners managed to escape custody.
The jailbreak prompted a major law enforcement response, including a large-scale police operation and reports of heavy gunfire in the surrounding area.
Sources suggest the recent seismic activity—which included at least 11 tremors over the past 24 to 48 hours, with a magnitude of 2.4—may have caused structural damage to the prison. One of the walls reportedly weakened, further compromising security. The most recent tremor was recorded at 11:16 PM.
In the aftermath of the escape, rescue officials reported that three Frontier Corps (FC) personnel sustained serious injuries during the stampede and have been shifted to a private hospital. Several others suffered minor injuries.
Search and Security Response
DIG Prisons Hassan Sahito confirmed the incident, stating that around 6,000 inmates were present at the time of the earthquake. “After the tremors this morning, panic spread among the prisoners. Some even broke locks in an attempt to flee,” he told ARY News.
He added that escape attempts occurred from two to three different points, primarily involving inmates with histories of drug addiction.
Authorities quickly launched a coordinated search operation. Both tracks of the National Highway were temporarily closed to facilitate the effort. Police were joined by Rangers, and a door-to-door search began in adjacent areas such as Gaddafi Town, Shah Latif Town, and Bhains Colony. So far, 73 escaped inmates have been recaptured. Locals also played a role by reporting suspicious activity.
Ongoing Investigation
Sindh Interior Minister Zia Lanjar acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He said it remains unclear whether the inmates escaped through broken locks or breached a structurally compromised wall. “Initial reports indicate that prisoners were relocated from their barracks due to the tremors. A full investigation will determine who is responsible,” he said.
Elite units, including the Special Security Unit (SSU) and Special Response Force (SRF), are now involved in operations extending into the rural outskirts. Meanwhile, jail authorities have begun the process of identifying and accounting for the escapees.
Rangers have assumed external control of Malir Jail, while police, FC, and other forces have secured the interior. Officials confirm that all remaining inmates are now under control, and a comprehensive internal search has been completed. Authorities are also assessing the structural integrity of the facility following the seismic events.
