Nabha Jail break anniversary: seven years later one accused is yet to be arrested; 22 accused already convicted
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ November 27,2023
November 27, has been recorded as a black spot in the history of Punjab. On this day seven years ago, two militants and four gangsters escaped from the so-called maximum-security prison at Nabha in Patiala district . The daring act, the kind of which was never seen even during the heydays of militancy in Punjab, had rocked the nation. One of the escapee is still at large.
Those fled in the morning of November 27, 2016 includes Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, another militant Kashmir Singh and gangsters Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, Neeta Deol and Amandeep Dhotian with the help of 15 other gangsters.
But, seven year after the sensational Nabha jailbreak in Punjab’s Patiala, wherein two militants and four gangsters escaped the so-called maximum-security prison, the police have failed to nab militant Kashmir Singh. Kashmir Singh was earlier arrested and booked for attempt to murder after he had shot at Punjab Shiv Sena leader Harvinder Soni with a countrymade .315-bore pistol in Gurdaspur on April 15,2025. Police claim that Kashmir Singh had links with terrorist sleeper cells and the attack on Soni was communally motivated. He was lodged at Nabha’s High security Jail. But after his escape , there is no clue about the whereabouts of Khalistan ideologue Kashmir Singh Galwandi — the only escapee yet to be arrested.
Even, in may this year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on information leading to the arrest of a Khalistani terrorist Kashmir Singh Galwaddi alias Balbir Singh.
On March 23,2023, 22 convicts of infamous high security Nabha jail break case of 2016 were convicted and sentenced 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment. The 22 convicts include over a dozen gangsters. Six accused were acquitted by the court.Total of seven challans were presented in the court and hearing in six of those challans are completed with today’s verdict. Of six prisoners who had managed to escape, three have been held guilty, while two others died during proceedings.
This incident of sensational day light jail break and that to from high security jail had raised the question on the working of jail, security and Punjab police. They broke open the prison on a Sunday, when everyone was relaxing. The jail staff was taken off guard and could not fire even a single bullet to counter the attackers.
On November 27,2016 at around 8.30 am as many as 6 criminals arrive outside the maximum security prison in Nabha in two cars. A Fortuner and a Hyundai Verna. They were in police uniforms, five of the men pretend to have brought a prisoner in handcuffs to the jail. Reach outside gate of maximum security prison and guard lets them in thinking they are police personnel bringing a prisoner.
In next minutes, they all get the access from outside gate to the inner gate of the jail which is roughly 50 metres inside. Once again pretend to have got a prisoner for lodging in the jail. When guard opens gate, they overpower him and start firing indiscriminately. By then they get the access from inner gate to the pathway that connects the prisoners barracks to the gates. Two terrorists – Mintoo and Kashmir Singh along with four gangsters are waiting. Continue to fire with their shotguns and small arms. They even snatch an SLR rifle from a jail guard and begin exit from jail premises in the two vehicles along with the six prisoners set free. Continue to fire on their way out and after exit turn left from jail on Thuhi Nabha road.
They got success in a jail break in few minutes. After that they each railway crossing that is closed. They turn around and once again pass in front of the Jail firing from weapons and then move on towards Samana. After the escape of six prisoners information was flashed across the state. Checkposts are set up. Punjab police sounded alert to Haryana police. Haryana Police too sounds an alarm and sets up checkposts to nab fleeing terrorists and criminals. All escapees left each other at one place or other and went in unknown directions.
Nabha Jail break anniversary: seven years later one accused is yet to be arrested; 22 accused already convicted. As per sources, fugitive gangster Ramanjit Singh Romi, who is reportedly in custody of Hong Kong Police and is yet to be extradited, had allegedly funded the jailbreak and provided weapons to gangsters. He has been declared a proclaimed offender in the case.
