Three specialised drones were deployed to track the escaped prisoners, and their footage allowed the police to cover large stretches of terrain quickly. Photo: Screengrab/ANI
Theni jailbreak: How police caught 13 fleeing prisoners within 24 hours
Borders were sealed, Kerala was alerted, 17 special teams and three drones helped the Theni police close in on the fugitives
Faced with the dense forests and rugged mountains surrounding the Thekkampatti sub-jail, the police mounted a wide-ranging operation as soon as news of the jailbreak came in on Monday night (October 26), sealing exit routes and spreading the search net well beyond the district.
Police set up armed checkposts at all exit points, backed by a strong cordon, and began systematic combing operations. All neighbouring districts sealed their borders, and the Kerala police were alerted to step up checking on their side. Railway tracks and stations were covered to prevent the fugitives from slipping away by train, and checks were also carried out at airports.
Wider alert
To tighten the search further, taxi stands, auto stands and bus stands were put on alert. Villages in the area were warned, while Forest Guards and Revenue officials were asked to remain vigilant. Police also deployed surveillance at the residences of all the accused, as well as those of their relatives and friends, in case any of them sought help. Police made the photographs and details of the escaped prisoners public, appealing to citizens to share any information.
Also read: No tunnel, no wall-scaling: How a staged seizure broke open Theni sub-jail
On the ground, 17 special teams were formed for systematic combing of the area. Five Special Task Force (STF) teams were called in to search the forests, and four Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) companies were deployed to assist.
Breakthrough with drones
The search got a boost with daylight, when three specialised drones were deployed to track the escaped prisoners. The footage let police cover large stretches of terrain quickly and pinpoint locations, which proved crucial to the arrests.
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The operations were led by the Superintendents of Police of Theni and Dindigul.
So far, police have caught 13 of the accused, while the search continues for the four others still at large.