UK terror plot suspect escapes in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Terror suspect Rashid Rauf, arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with a plot to bomb airliners in Britain last year, escaped from police custody while being brought to a court here. Rauf, whose extradition has been sought by the British government, overpowered two police constables who were escorting him from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to the court in the capital on Friday.

Earlier reports had said he escaped after being produced in court. Authorities launched a hunt late last night to trace Rauf. Superintendent of police Nasir Aftab said Rauf escaped at 2.30 pm “but the policemen reported the matter very late to us”. A case was registered against the two policemen who were guarding Rauf and an inquiry has been ordered, he said.

The interior ministry has set up a committee headed by additional interior secretary Qazi Imtiaz to probe the escape. ADG Mirza Yasin Baig of the federal investigation agency is also a member of the panel, which has been asked to submit its report by Tuesday. Pakistani authorities dropped all terror charges against Rauf, but was accused of possessing forged travel and identity documents and bomb-making materials. He was arrested in Bhawalpur in August 2006, a day before British authorities detained many persons in connection with a plot to attack airliners bound for the US with bombs made with liquid chemicals.