Madhya Pradesh police have gunned down eight members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) who escaped from a top Bhopal prison after a daring jailbreak early this morning (31 October).

They were killed in an encounter near Eintkhedi village. “Eight SIMI activists escaped around 2-3 am after killing a jail security guard,” Deputy Inspector General Bhopal Raman Singh said, and added that they tied one constable and slit the throat of head constable Ram Shankar before escaping from B block of the jail, on the outskirts of Bhopal.

Three of them were caught recently after they escaped in an identical jailbreak three years ago. Senior Bhopal police officer Yogesh Choudhary said the break-out was planned on the Diwali night.

The jailbreak took place on Sunday between midnight and 2 am. The prisoners broke open prison gates and then fashioned ropes out of bedspreads to scale the boundary walls, according to the jail authorities. All escapees were facing treason charges.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh told IANS: "Eight SIMI terrorists managed to escape the jail on late Sunday night after killing one guard and taking another hostage." The Madhya Pradesh Police sounded a high alert.

To take stock of the situation, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan called an emergency meeting, while the union home ministry has asked Madhya Pradesh for a report. The prisoners were facing trial for terror-related activities, sedition and robbery.

The jail superintendent and three security personnel have been suspended. According to officials the Bhopal Central Jail is among the most secure in the state and has a round the clock electronic surveillance system. SIMI, accused of carrying out several attacks and having links with Pakistan-based terror groups, was banned in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks.

With inputs from IANS.

Bhopal Central Jail

Get Swarajya in your inbox.