SKARDU, July 26: Three prisoners escaped from the Skardu jail on Friday. Police have launched a search operation and have sealed all exit points of the city to arrest the criminals. A committee has also been formed to investigate the incident.

Mumtaz Ali, a resident of Majini Mohalla Gilgit, Haider of Daniyur and Izhar Hussain, of Soni Kot, Gilgit, were in the lock-up on the charges of vehicle theft.

Mumtaz was in the prison since March 1, while the other two persons were in the jail since January 29, 2007.

Sources said the accused managed to scale the high boundary wall of the jail and fled at 1:50pm.