Delhi cops offer 50 K reward for Pak terrorists

A reward of Rs 50,000 was announced on Sunday by the Delhi Police for anyone providing information on the three Pakistani terrorists who escaped while being escorted to a city hospital. They also released the pictures of the trio for identification.

Abdul Razzak, Mohammed Sadiq and Rafaqat Ali, who were arrested in connection with blasts near the Red Fort nine years ago and were to be deported to Pakistan as they had completed their jail term, escaped on Friday, leaving the authorities red-faced and prompting them to sound an alert in the national capital and neighbouring areas.

"We have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 each for providing information on the three Pakistanis. We have also released their pictures," a senior police official said. The three were arrested on October 30, 2000, from Rohtak and Delhi along with five other Pakistani nationals and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including 17 kg of high-grade RDX as well as 50 kg of heroin, were recovered from them.

Sadiq, 55, a resident of Sabajpur, Sialkot and Rafaqat Ali alias Pappu, 55, hailing from Batapur, Lahore, were convicted for waging war against the state, attempt to murder, conspiracy as also under the Explosives Act and Arms Act. Razzak, 61, from Narwal, Lahore was convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act for possession of heroin, officials said.

The three were being taken to Guru Nanak Eye Hospital by Meghalaya police personnel who were on deputation to the Delhi Police's Special Branch when they fled. After the escape, Delhi Police registered a fresh case against the trio for violating the restraint order under the Foreigners' Act, a senior police official said. Home Ministry officials said an alert has been sounded in Delhi and adjoining areas to nab them.

The Delhi Police had yesterday claimed the three Pakistanis were in detention of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, while the FRRO had said the custody of such prisoners was always with the Special Branch of Delhi Police.