Jammu and Kashmir: After LeT terrorist escapes from Srinagar hospital, officials beef up security in jails

Rattled by the escape of Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba militant commander Naveed Jatt from the hospital, Jammu and Kashmir police has gone into an overdrive to beef up the security of the jails in the restive state.

From treating militants at police hospital to deploying CRPF at sensitive places in the jails, police have taken host of measures to strengthen the prison security in Jammu and Kashmir.

After taking over, New Director General of police, prisons, Dilbag Singh paid a surprise visit to District Jail Kathua and  Sub Jail Hiranagar to review the security. 

A police spokesman said  Singh had an in-depth review of the inner apartments and outer areas of both the  Jails.

"CRPF  deployed  in the Jail has been asked to take up additional points where deployment is very much required", said the spokesman.

During the daylong visit, Singh held detailed discussions with the officers and instructed them to take  all necessary security precautions in view of the prevailing situation in the State.  

"The Superintendent of the Prison and  Incharge  CRPF Company  were  directed to be alert  and keep a close liaison with the District and local administration. They were also asked to come up with proposals for upgradation of security  gadgets", said the spokesman. 

The review of jail security has come against the backdrop of the escape of Mohammad Naveed Jatt of Multan Pakistan from the hospital where he was taken for medical check up from the Srinagar Central Jail.

Jatt, who had confessed to have met the 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab in the training camp in Pakistan, escaped from Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital after his associates shot dead two policemen accompanying him for medical checkup and investigations on February 6.

Later Jammu and Kashmir government suspended Superintendent of Srinagar Central Jail Hilal Ahmad Rather.

Police later arrested four militants and over ground workers (OGW) who helped Lashkar-e-Tioba commander Naveed Jatt to flee from the hospital.

On Monday, NIA took over the probe and registered a case related to the escape LeT terrorist Naveed Jatt from SMHS hospital in Srinagar.