Islamabad, October 25, 2024 — Unidentified gunmen launched an assault on jail transport vans near the Sangjani Toll Plaza, allegedly freeing several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prisoners who were facing terrorism charges. Police reports indicate that the attack targeted two vans transporting roughly 100 prisoners, primarily from Attock Jail, and damaged vehicle windows during the assault.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi disclosed that 18 to 20 attackers, including the son of a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa MPA, were involved in the ambush. The prison vans, which were returning from a court appearance, were attacked near Sangjani Toll Plaza, but police reportedly intervened, preventing the escape of many detainees. Although several high-profile PTI prisoners initially managed to escape, they were later recaptured. The police also detained three of the assailants involved in the incident.
Attack staged by Punjab police, claims Waqas Akram
Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that the attack was staged by the police. Akram claimed that PTI workers, who had already been granted bail, were being transferred to Attock District Jail when police diverted the vans near Faisal Town. He asserted that the police orchestrated the incident, breaking the van windows and encouraging PTI workers to flee, though they reportedly refused. Akram further alleged that the freed PTI members were later rearrested under a separate charge fabricated by the police.
