Delhi police asked to explain how Pakistani terrorists fled

NEW DELHI - Miffed with the Delhi Police over the escape of three Pakistani terrorists, the union home ministry Sunday asked it to explain how the three men awaiting deportation gave police the slip while being taken to a city hospital.

According to official sources, the home ministry has sought a report as soon as possible on how the three terrorists escaped Friday.

The militants fled from a crowded cycle market and were yet to be traced Sunday evening. They were part of a module of eight trained militants arrested by Delhi Police in 2000 before the Red Fort attack case with a huge cache of explosives and narcotics.

An alert was sounded all over the capital and the neighbouring states to trace the militants, identified as Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sadiq (alias Aslam) and Rafaqat Ali.

The Pakistani nationals had been sentenced and completed their five-year jail terms on Oct 23 last year.

After their release from Tihar, they were lodged at a detention home in Narela under the supervisory custody of Delhi Polices Special Branch. They were to be deported to Pakistan soon.

On Friday, the three were taken to the Guru Nanak Eye Centre of GB Pant Hospital for an eye check-up, escorted by a sub-inspector of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB).

They reportedly went for lunch in the cycle market at Jama Masjid in old Delhi at 2.30 p.m., but did not return.

Police have announced a reward of Rs.50,000 for anyone who provides information about the runaway terrorists.