The State of Madhya Pradesh is not new to prison breaks. In October 2013, seven members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) had made a similar escape from the Khandwa Jail in the state. Accused of atrocious crimes including murder, the members had stabbed two constables, looted rifles and run away with wireless sets.
The seven undertrial prisoners in the earlier incident were identified as Amjad, Aslam, Zakir, Mehboob (all from Khandwa), Ejazuddin (of Narsinh Yard, Kareli), Abu Faizal (from Juhu, Andheri in Mumbai) and Aabid Mirza (of Oont Kuwan, Hatampura in Khandwa). According to reports, Aabid Mirza was, however, apprehended later. Four of them were arrested in February this year from a house in Rourkela in Odisha in February this year.
Using a similar modus operandi, these fugitives also used bedsheets as ropes to scale the towering wall before escaping on two bikes parked in the jail premises. They had also broken the bathroom wall in their escape bid. Two constables who confronted them had suffered stab injuries. There was also a exchange of fire by the security forces who tried to prevent the escape, but it ended in vain.
Banned in 2001, the Students Islamic Movement of India has alleged links with home-grown terror outfit Indian Mujahideen and several of its top leaders have been in jail.