People Police participation led to killing of 8 SIMI terrorists in MP

Messages were relayed early morning by the police about the incident to all police stations in the state as soon as the Bhopal police control room received message from jail though late by three hours. Jail officials tried to make an early indoor attempt to locate the terrorists who had killed one head constable and injured another constable.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh was briefed about the jail break before sun rise and he immediately summoned the chief secretary and DG of police at his bungalow at 6 am. He issued instructions to nab the absconders at any  cost. Bhopal police relayed the photographs of the 8 terrorists on whatsApp across the state. The whatsApp of one of the villagers where the “encounter” took place also got photographs with message.

A watch and ward staff of a farm house on the outskirts of Bhopal which connects the MP capital to Raigarh and Sehore districts noticed some people having food early morning at the farm. They had fast food items with them. The guard said he noticed all of them were wearing brand new jeans and shirt. When he inquired about their identity, they reportedly asked him to move away. The guard informed owner of the farm house over mobile. When he reached there, he realised they were the terrorists who had escaped from jail as the news was already on television channels since morning. He told his co-villager who in turn informed the nearest Gunga police station.

When policemen reached there, they were reportedly challenged by terrorists who threw stones on them. Police claimed to have found two countrymade pistols and cartridges from their bodies later. Local villagers also helped police in ensuring none of them escaped from the village. They gheraoed the area and physically engaged them in encounter.

The DGP and chief secretary were informed about the killing of the terrorists and they too rushed to  village. Police had earlier received report about theft in a well known mall on the outskirts of the town and it is suspected the jeans and shirts and food items including dry fruits were also stolen by the 8 terrorists.

Abdul Fazal, the main accused in Khandawa jail break who was also among those killed, led the jail break. The MP government immediately suspended five senior officers of jail administration and transferred ADG (jail). Sudhir Shahi, ADG, STF, has been  given additional charge of jail and a retired DG of police Nandan Dubey asked to probe the jail break. The MP  CM while congratulating the local villagers lauded them for co-operating with the police which helped in eliminating the terrorists within hours of the jail break.

Local villagers said the credit goes to the police initiative in not concealing the jail break incident and being prompt in releasing the photos of terrorists on whatsApp to all subscribers. Five of the terrorists killed on Monday were from Khandwa district. The main accused was shifted to Bhopal from Tihar jail a few months back.