Two Pakistani nationals escape RS Pura juvenile home after attacking cops; Jammu on high alert

A high alert was sounded in Jammu and adjoining districts on Monday evening after two Pakistani nationals, along with a local minor, escaped from a juvenile home in the border area of RS Pura in Jammu and Kashmir.

Before fleeing, the trio allegedly attacked police personnel deployed for security at the Juvenile Observation Home and opened fire.

Although senior police officers maintained a guarded silence over the incident, reports said that around 5.30 pm, police received information that three inmates of the RS Pura Juvenile Observation Home had escaped from custody after assaulting and injuring two police personnel on guard duty.

The two escaped Pakistani nationals have been identified as Ahsan Anwar, son of Mohammad Anwar, a resident of Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan, and Mohammad Sanaullah, son of Mohammad Zaffer, a resident of Basti Jawewala, Tehsil Dinpur, District Muzaffarabad, Punjab, Pakistan. The third escapee has been identified as Karanjit Singh alias Gugga, son of Arjun Singh, a resident of Dablehar, RS Pura.

Head Constable Praveen Kumar and Special Police Officer (SPO) Vinay Chaudhary sustained serious injuries in the attack. Shots were reportedly fired from a country-made pistol during the incident. After receiving first aid at Sub-District Hospital R S Pura, both injured personnel were referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, where their condition is stated to be stable.

According to injured Head Constable Praveen Kumar, around 27 juveniles lodged in the home were involved in a scuffle. When he and SPO Vinay Chaudhary intervened to calm the situation, three inmates suddenly attacked them. It is alleged that the trio first locked the other juveniles inside a room and then assaulted the two policemen on duty.

Country-made pistol used

Praveen Kumar further stated that the accused were armed with a country-made pistol, which was used during the attack. SPO Vinay Chaudhary suffered a serious head injury and is suspected to have sustained a gunshot wound. Both injured officials were initially treated at RS Pura Hospital before being shifted to GMC Jammu for specialised care.

Escaped after snatching motorcycle

Sources said that after attacking the policemen, the three minors escaped from the juvenile home. They allegedly snatched a motorcycle from a passerby on the RS Pura–Arnia main road. The trio reportedly brandished the country-made pistol to intimidate the passerby before fleeing towards the Samba–Vijaypur area on the stolen motorcycle.

Serious questions over security

Sources indicated that the escape may have been pre-planned over several days. It is suspected that the weapon was smuggled inside through a damaged rear wall of the juvenile home. Reports suggest that the country-made pistol may have been brought inside a few days prior to the incident, with the plan executed on Monday evening.

Notably, the RS Pura juvenile home has faced security concerns in the past, including incidents of clashes among inmates and escape attempts by scaling the boundary wall. Despite previous incidents, security arrangements were allegedly not strengthened adequately. Around 27 juveniles are currently housed at the facility, while six police personnel are reportedly posted there. At the time of the incident, only three officers were present — one was away, and two were on active duty.

Awaiting official statement

Senior police officers rushed to the spot soon after the incident was reported. DIG Jammu-Kathua Range Shiv Kumar Sharma is also said to have visited the site to assess the situation. However, no official statement had been issued as of late evening.

A massive search operation has been launched across the region. Given the proximity to the International Border, security agencies have been placed on high alert. Checkpoints have been established, and searches are underway in surrounding areas, particularly along the Samba–Vijaypur road.

Criminal background

According to sources, the local minor, Karanjit Singh alias Goga, has previously been named in criminal cases registered at RS Pura Police Station and other police stations. He had been lodged in the juvenile home due to his age.

The dramatic escape has raised serious concerns over the security and management of the juvenile facility. Questions are being raised about how a firearm was smuggled inside despite security arrangements and how such a major lapse occurred.

Police have launched a thorough investigation into the incident and intensified efforts to trace and apprehend the absconding juveniles.