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Massive manhunt for escaped prisoners

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Members of the Tiger Platoon GOF conduct search operations at Kampung Sinar Baru, Jalan Puncak Borneo, Kuching.

PADAWAN: The district police here are utilising all available manpower to hunt down two inmates who are still at large after escaping from Puncak Borneo Prison on Thursday (July 1).

District deputy police chief DSP Lim Jaw Shyong said the manhunt is being carried out through ‘Ops Tutup’ by focusing on several locations within a 5km radius of the prison.

“The search involves all available personnel in Padawan police headquarters (IPD), six teams from the police stations and a Tiger Platoon of the General Operations Force (GOF).

“The teams are spread out to Prima Housing area, Mile 11, Chinese cemetery in Mile 15, Landeh area, Kampung Jawa and Semenggoh to track down the suspects.

“Apart from that, we conducted four roadblocks at Mile 16, Jalan Kuching-Serian; Kampung Bratan, Jalan Puncak Borneo; Jalan Batu Kitang; and Jalan Batu Kawa,” he said today.

Hamzah Hamdan

It is understood that there are about 70 personnel involved in the manhunt for the other two inmates identified as Mohamad Fikrry Azzarudin Abdullah, 26, and Rahmat Simbolan, 38.

They were among four inmates who escaped from the prison on Thursday evening. Two of the escapees have been captured. They have been identified as Bobin Bahan, 29 and Diveni Bunby, 36. Bobin was arrested around 10.50pm at Lorong 2, Kampung Sinar Baru while, Diveni was captured around 6.25pm at Prima Housing area, Kampung Sinar Baru.

Lim said an investigation paper has been opened under Section 223/224 of the Penal Code after they received a report regarding inmates escaping from Puncak Borneo Prison.

According to the report, the incident is believed to have taken place around 5.11pm where the four suspects are remand detainees.

They were detained at the Puncak Borneo Prison transit centre (PTP) and placed in House A1, while awaiting a hearing date or re-mention of their cases.

“The inmates had escaped through the living room’s toilet window and headed towards the main fence of PTP.

“After that, they headed to the second door of the Puncak Borneo Prison Complex and exited towards the nearby forest area,” he said, adding that they are believed to have escaped by unplugging the window grill.

Operations officer Inspector Hamzah leads his men in search of the escaped prisoners.

The area is equipped with a closed circuit television (CCTV) and grill on each side of the door and window. At the time of their escape, the weather conditions registered heavy rain and strong wind.

“Anyone who have information on the two inmates, are asked to immediately contact the Padawan IPD operations room at 082-862233,” Lim urged.

Meanwhile, Search Operations officer Inspector Hamzah Hamdan said the manhunt will be carried out on a 24-hour basis until both inmates are captured.

He revealed that the search will be focusing on the bushes and the residential houses in the nearby area. Search operation in the forest will be led by the GOF Tiger Platoon.

“We are also awaiting further instructions to place teams outside the forest to prevent them from coming out of the jungle,” he said.

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