Fugitives' Folly: Assam Jailbreakers Apprehended 2,500 km Away in Karnataka

In a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice, two notorious inmates who engineered a daring escape from Udalguri District Jail in Assam were successfully tracked down and apprehended over 2,500 kilometers away in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka. The dramatic recapture brings an end to a two-week-long manhunt for Bhog Singh, alias Bhogeswar Singh, and Kismat Ali, alias Kismat Ali Laskar, who had been on the run since May 30, 2024.

Bhog Singh, a 42-year-old native of Arunachal Pradesh, was originally incarcerated in 2021 on serious charges of drug trafficking.

His accomplice, 30-year-old Kismat Ali from Assam, had been in jail since 2017, awaiting trial for a brutal murder case. Their escape sent shockwaves through the region and prompted a widespread alert across multiple states.

The duo’s escape on a Thursday morning was meticulously planned. Reports indicate they managed to break open the lock of a toilet inside the jail premises.

Seizing the opportunity, they then scaled the prison wall, disappearing into the cover of dawn and leaving authorities scrambling to piece together their movements.

Their journey from Assam to Karnataka was an audacious cross-country evasion. Following their escape, Singh and Ali reportedly boarded a train, embarking on a long and arduous journey south.

They first arrived in the bustling metropolis of Bengaluru before making their way to the quieter, coffee-rich district of Chikkamagaluru. For approximately 15 days, they attempted to blend in, securing work as daily wage labourers on a local coffee estate, hoping to lie low and evade detection.

However, the long arm of the law proved inescapable.

The Assam police, demonstrating remarkable tenacity and intelligence gathering, continued their investigation tirelessly. Specific and crucial intelligence inputs were generated, pinpointing the fugitives' likely whereabouts in Karnataka. This vital information was promptly shared with the Chikkamagaluru police, setting the stage for their apprehension.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Chikkamagaluru police launched a targeted operation.

On the evening of June 13, 2024, their persistence paid off as Bhog Singh and Kismat Ali were located and apprehended in a dramatic raid in Chikkamagaluru. The recapture brought a collective sigh of relief to law enforcement agencies involved in the extensive search.

Following their apprehension, the two escaped prisoners were produced before a local court in Chikkamagaluru.

Legal formalities are currently underway to facilitate their transfer back to Assam, where they will face justice not only for their original crimes but also for the audacious jailbreak that captured national attention. This incident underscores the unwavering commitment of India's police forces to ensure that justice is served, no matter how far criminals may attempt to flee.