SRINAGAR: Two inmates booked in separate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act escaped from Srinagar Central Jail on Sunday after allegedly scaling the front-side wall of the high-security prison, officials said.
The escapees have been identified as Farman Khan, a resident of Sadanpora in Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Following the escape, police and security agencies launched a massive search operation to trace and apprehend the two men. A wanted notice has also been issued, with a reward announced for information leading to their arrest.
According to officials, Khan was lodged at Srinagar Central Jail on June 23 following an FIR registered at Lar Police Station in Ganderbal district. He faces charges under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
Gujar was lodged in the jail on April 13 in connection with a separate FIR registered at Soura Police Station in Srinagar. He too faces charges under various BNS provisions and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.
The circumstances surrounding the escape are being investigated.
The Srinagar Central Jail is guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which was deployed at the facility in October 2023. The force provides security to the prison’s inner and outer perimeters with trained personnel, surveillance systems and access-control measures.
Police have appealed to the public to share any information that could help locate the two escapees. Information can be provided to the nearest police station or through 112.
