Criminal escapes, 5 suspended

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Jan 22:  Five police personnel  including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) were placed under suspension after a noted criminal escaped from police custody in the court premises here today.
Official sources said that accused Tahir Hussain Shah, son of Baghdad Hussain Shah, resident of  Gohlad in Mendhar, was lodged in Poonch Jail  in connection with several cases of theft, murderous attack and other nature. He was brought here in a Police vehicle from District  Jail, Poonch  to produce in the Munsiff Court.
Five Police personnel  including ASI Nazir Ahmed were deputed by a senior police officer at Poonch. As he was produced in the court, finding time being without handcuffed, he thrashed cops and managed to slip.  He caused injuries to a Head  Constable and ASI as well. The police men gave hot chase and also fired in the air but he ran away towards his native village. This is third time that he escaped from police custody. He had already escaped  from Gursai and Surankote Police Stations on previous occasions.
Tahir Hussain was booked in case FIRs 147/ 2014,  167/ 2014, 132/2014, 124/ 2014, 93/ 2014,  71/2013, 133/ 2011, 62/2015 and 66/2015 at various police stations in district Poonch.  He was last arrested on 26-5-2014.
Meanwhile,  a senior police officer said that ASI Nazir Ahmed, Head Constables Sanjay Kumar and Mohd Bashir (Dvr), Constables Mohd Ilyas  and Mohd Salim have been placed under suspension in this connection and an inquiry has been initiated.