High alert across J&K after 2 POCSO-accused prisoners escape Srinagar Central Jail
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "High alert across J&K after 2 POCSO-accused prisoners escape Srinagar Central Jail")
2 POCSO-accused prisoners escape Srinagar Central Jail Photograph: (WION)
A high alert has been sounded in Kashmir after two POCSO-accused undertrials escaped Srinagar Central Jail by scaling a wall, prompting a search operation, lookouts, and staff suspensions.
A high alert has been sounded across Kashmir after two undertrial prisoners, both facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, escaped from Srinagar Central Jail late last night by scaling the prison’s outer wall.
A massive search operation has been launched to trace the two escapees, with police extending their efforts beyond Jammu and Kashmir to Rajasthan, where one of the prisoners is a resident. Lookout notices carrying their photographs have been circulated at key entry and exit points, including railway stations, the Srinagar airport and national highways.
Police have also announced a reward for information leading to the duo’s arrest and appealed to members of the public to immediately inform the nearest police station or contact the emergency helpline 112.
The escapees have been identified as Farman Khan, a resident of Sadanpora in Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmed Gujjar, a resident of Sanglan Chittargul in Anantnag district.
According to police records, Khan was lodged in jail in connection with FIR No. 19/2026, registered at Lar Police Station in Ganderbal on June 23. The case invokes Sections 137(2) and 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
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Gujjar was facing FIR No. 20/2026, registered at Soura Police Station in Srinagar on April 13. The case includes Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
Officials have so far refrained from disclosing the precise sequence of events leading to the escape. CCTV footage from the prison is being examined as part of the investigation, while an interim inquiry has been ordered into the security breach.
Sources said eight prison staff members have been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The incident has raised serious questions over security arrangements at Srinagar Central Jail, a high-security facility housing around 500 inmates. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been responsible for security at the prison since October 2023, overseeing security both within and around the facility.
