Eight terrorists of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) broke out of Bhopal Central Jail after killing a guard, state Home Minister said on Monday.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh told IANS: "Eight SIMI terrorists managed to escape jail on late Sunday night after killing one guard and taking another hostage."
Madhya Pradesh Police is on high alert. The state border was sealed following the jail break, security was tightened and a search operation is on to nab the terrorists, the Home Minister said.
Singh also accepted that the incident points to a major security lapse. The jail break took place between 12 and 2 a.m. on Sunday night when the state capital was celebrating Diwali.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had recently instructed for more stringent security arrangements at all state facilities.