RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi police have registered a criminal case over the escape of 14 under-trial prisoners from a police transit van near Sihala and arrested five police personnel over alleged negligence as authorities widened an investigation into one of the country’s biggest recent custody breaches. The case was registered on the complaint of the lock-up guard, police said on Tuesday. At least 14 under-trial prisoners escaped from a police transit van on Monday after blinding personnel with chili powder near Sihala. The incident occurred in the Sihala area after the inmates were being transferred back to Adiala jail following a routine court appearance in Kahuta. According to the first information report (FIR), 36 under-trial prisoners were being transported back to Adiala jail after presenting them before a court in Kahuta when a fight broke out inside the prison van. When police stopped the vehicle to investigate, the inmates allegedly threw chili powder into the eyes of the escort personnel and escaped from custody. Police said four of the 14 escaped prisoners were recaptured shortly after the incident, while search operations were continuing to arrest the remaining 10 fugitives. The FIR included charges of obstructing public servants from performing their duty, assaulting law enforcement personnel and escaping from lawful custody. Police detained five police officials, including the guard commander on duty, as part of the inquiry into the security lapse, officials said.