Money, heroin and sharp objects –what don’t prisoners have?

A thorough search of central jail finds electrical appliances and other illegal items; six suspects detained in raids

Officials of the Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers and Central Jail Karachi conducted a thorough search of the prison in the wee hours of Monday and confiscated many large appliances as well as other illegal items that the inmates are not supposed to have access to.

The details of the search were revealed later during a news conference at the prison, where the paramilitary officials said the June 14 escape of two Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorists from the judicial complex housed at the jail’s premises had raised security concerns.

The Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers, police and other law-enforcement departments planned a search operation and mock exercises within the premises of the prison to overcome any untoward situation.

An official said the security institutions had occasionally raised concerns over the central jail’s security issues. He said they searched the premises of the jail, especially the barracks where prisoners associated with banned organisations and militants affiliated with political parties were housed.

During the search operation they confiscated a large number of items banned by the jail manual: Rs3.5 million in cash, 18 freezers, 449 TV sets, 163 LCD screens, 102 expensive mobile phones, 995 bracket fans, five packets of heroin, 82 speakers, 22 heaters, three DVD players, 30 blankets, 10 pairs of scissors, 31 water dispensers, 400 cigarette packs, 45 daggers and knives, 46 memory cards and 50 remote controls.

Six suspects detained

Rangers soldiers conducted targeted raids in different parts of the city and arrested six suspects, including members of banned organisation.

A spokesman for the paramilitary force said two men – identified as Syed Jawad Ali, alias Fauji, and Mohammad Zaman Siddiqui, alias Zaman – were detained during an intelligence-based targeted raid in a Sir Syed Town locality.

The spokesman said the detainees belonged to the banned Sipah-e-Mohammad Pakistan, adding that they were involved in sectarian killings, murders of police officials and snatching mobile phones.

During raids conducted in the Darakhshan and Sir Syed localities, the Rangers soldiers arrested Furhaaj Yaqoob and Hameedullah. They are said to be involved in heinous crimes.

While conducting snap-checking in the Manghopir locality, the paramilitary force arrested Imtiaz, alias Jumman, and Murtaza. They are said to be involved in armed robberies and other crimes.

The Rangers officials also confiscated weapons and looted items from the possession of the suspects they detained, all of whom were later handed over to the local police for further investigation.