Kathmandu / New Delhi: In a major security crisis unfolding in Nepal, more than 6,000 inmates have escaped from 18 different prisons amid ongoing unrest in the country over the past three days. The mass jailbreak has triggered a high alert across the Indo-Nepal border, with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs instructing heightened security measures in all bordering districts.
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), deployed along the Indo-Nepal border, has been placed on high alert, and additional forces have been mobilized to prevent any cross-border infiltration. The Ministry has raised concerns that, following the recent takeover by the Nepalese army and subsequent crackdown operations, many escaped criminals may attempt to cross into India and seek refuge in the porous border areas.
Authorities also fear that individuals involved in recent bank robberies in Nepal, as well as those who looted weapons from local police stations, may smuggle arms across the border and hide them in Indian territory with the help of trafficking networks.
Following an internal security report, additional SSB companies have been deployed along key border points, and the state police headquarters have dispatched extra forces to all border districts. A coordinated and intensive search operation is now underway.
Temporary checkpoints have been set up at all known border crossing routes, and drone surveillance is being used to monitor movement in the region.
Among the significant jailbreaks reported:
- Jhumka Prison, the largest in Nepal, saw 1,575 inmates escape.
- Pokhara Jail reported the escape of 900 prisoners.
- Kailali Jail had 612 inmates flee.
- Mahatari Jail, which housed 577 prisoners, reported 576 escapes.
- Other major incidents occurred at Bhimfedi Jail (208 escaped), Janakpur Jail (572), Rautahat Jail (233), Nakhkhu Jail in Kathmandu (233), Kapilvastu Jail (459), Chitwan Jail (700), and Kanchanpur Jail (450).
Authorities on both sides of the border are now working closely to prevent further escalation and ensure that escaped criminals do not exploit the open border for shelter or smuggling activities.
