Srinagar jailbreak: CISF starts preliminary enquiry into inmates' escape

The CISF has started a preliminary enquiry after two inmates, Farman Khan and Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, escaped from the Central Jail in Srinagar by scaling a wall. A search has been launched by security agencies to trace the escaped prisoners.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 24 (ANI): The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has started its preliminary enquiry into the escape of two inmates from the Central Jail in Srinagar on Sunday morning after allegedly scaling the front-side wall of the prison premises, officials said on Monday.

Officials said a preliminary enquiry has been set up to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the escape. The CISF is also assisting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the investigation and efforts to locate the two inmates.

Details of Escaped Inmates

As per officials, the inmates escaped from the jail during the morning hours on August 23 by scaling the front-side wall of the prison premises. The two inmates have been identified as Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, a resident of Sadanpora in Rajasthan; and Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, son of Mohammad Rafiq, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in Anantnag district.

Farman Khan was admitted to the Central Jail, Srinagar, on June 23, 2026. He is facing a case registered under FIR No. 19/2026 under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The second inmate, Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, was admitted to the jail on April 13, 2026. He is facing a case registered under FIR No. 20/2026 under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.

Following the incident, security agencies and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated efforts to trace the escaped inmates.

CISF Launches Internal Probe

CISF's preliminary enquiry is expected to examine how the two prisoners managed to scale the jail's front-side wall and escape from the high-security premises. "A PE (Preliminary Enquiry) is set up into the escape of two inmates from the Central Jail in Srinagar. It is an internal inquiry to gather inputs of the whole incident," the officials, requesting anonymity, told ANI.

A preliminary enquiry in the CISF is an initial, fact-finding process ordered by a competent authority to verify allegations, check facts, and determine whether a prima facie case exists before initiating formal disciplinary proceedings.

When asked about the Departmental Enquiry (DE), one of the officials told ANI it would be launched soon after the police investigation reaches a conclusion.

A Departmental Enquiry of the CISF is a formal internal disciplinary proceeding governed primarily by Rule 36 of the CISF Rules, 2001, and the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, to address alleged misconduct, dereliction of duty, or rule violations by personnel.

Officials said further information on the circumstances of the escape, the security arrangements at the jail and the ongoing efforts to apprehend the inmates is awaited.

CISF's Security Mandate in J&K Prisons

The CISF assumed responsibility for the security of the Central Jail in Srinagar on October 3, 2022 and the Kot Balwal jail in Jammu on October 19, 2023. Since then, the force has said it has been responsible for securing both the inner and outer perimeters of these sensitive facilities through a combination of trained manpower, modern surveillance systems, and strict access control measures.

More than 1,500 people, including many linked with terror activities, are housed in these jails.

Earlier, many foreign terrorists were lodged in these high-profile jails, but they have been shifted outside Jammu and Kashmir for security reasons. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)