Three inmates of a juvenile observation home in Jammu and Kashmir's RS Pura sector, of whom two were said to be Pakistani nationals while the third was allegedly a Khauff Gang member from India, escaped on Monday evening.
Security forces have been placed on high alert after the three people allegedly assaulted two of the facility's security personnel just after 5 PM, and then fled from custody.
Reports say that the two policemen, Head Constable Praveen Kumar and Special Police Officer Vinay Chaudhary, had allegedly stepped in to stop a fight between some of the other juveniles, which was when the three inmates ambushed them, a Navbharat Times report said.
The investigating teams are also conducting raids on various locations to track down the absconding inmates.
Police have launched a massive manhunt to trace the escaped juveniles, who have been identified as Ahsan Anwar and M. Sanaullah from Pakistan's Punjab province, as well as Karanjit Singh (alias Gugga) from the Dablehar area in RS Pura.
Notably, the RS Pura sector is located close to the International Border (IB), as a result of which it has historically been considered a sensitive zone due to concerns of infiltration. Reports say that the incident was more than a routine escape, as a result of which security agencies are looking into whether the shocking escape could involve prior planning, possible bribes, or attempts at cross-border movement back into Pakistan.
The investigation is also looking at whether the juveniles communicated with handlers, over-ground workers (OGWs), or sympathisers while in custody, a News18 report said.
