Two inmates facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act escaped from the Central Jail in Srinagar on Sunday, prompting a large-scale manhunt, officials said. The escapees were identified as Farman Khan, a resident of Sadanpora in Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, according to multiple reports.
Escape and Immediate Response
The two men escaped by scaling the front-side wall of the high-security prison, jail authorities said. Police launched a massive search operation to trace and apprehend them, with teams deployed at possible hideouts and transit points. Lookout notices were issued at exit points across Kashmir, as reported by the Free Press Journal. An alert has also been sounded throughout the Union Territory, according to Greater Kashmir.
Details of the Accused
Khan was lodged in the jail on June 23 in connection with an FIR registered at Lar police station in Ganderbal district, as per The Economic Times and Times Now. Gujar was lodged on April 13 in connection with a separate FIR at Soura police station in Srinagar. Both were booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, which pertain to penetrative sexual assault, according to The Times of India and Lokmat Times.
The notices shared by Kashmir Zone Police on X specified that Gujar is wanted in FIR No. 20/2026 registered at Police Station Soura, while Khan is wanted in FIR No. 19/2026 at Police Station Lar, as reported by Lokmat Times. The notices also detailed the charges under the BNS and POCSO Act for each individual.
Security and Investigation
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been providing armed security at Srinagar Central Jail since October 2023, according to Times Now and The Times of India. The force is responsible for securing both the inner and outer perimeters of the facility using trained personnel, surveillance systems, and access controls, as noted in the Times Now report.
Officials said the circumstances of the escape are under investigation. A case has been registered regarding the escape, and security has been stepped up at the jail and surrounding areas, Greater Kashmir reported. Further details about how the two managed to flee were awaited as the manhunt continued, according to The Economic Times.
Appeal for Public Assistance
Police have issued a wanted notice for the two escapees and announced a reward for information leading to their arrest. The public has been urged to share any information that could help trace or apprehend the men by contacting the nearest police station or dialing 112, as reported by India TV News and several other outlets. Kashmir Zone Police stated on X that information leading to their arrest will be suitably rewarded, according to Greater Kashmir and Lokmat Times.