Srinagar, Aug 26: Two undertrial prisoners facing separate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act have been arrested in Rajasthan, three days after allegedly escaping from Central Jail Srinagar, officials said.

The accused have been identified as Farman Khan, a resident of Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, a resident of Anantnag.

According to officials, Srinagar Police, with assistance from Rajasthan Police, traced the duo to Rajgarh in Churu district of Rajasthan following an extensive search operation.

The two were apprehended after police tracked their movements outside Jammu and Kashmir. Police teams from Srinagar have travelled to Rajasthan to complete the necessary formalities and bring the accused back to the Valley.

Farman Khan was lodged in Central Jail Srinagar in connection with FIR No. 19/2026 registered at Police Station Lar under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.

Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar was facing proceedings in FIR No. 20/2026 registered at Police Station Soura under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the BNS and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act.

The two undertrials allegedly escaped from the high-security prison on August 23, following which police launched a manhunt and issued lookout notices to trace them.

Their arrest brings the search operation to an end. Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding their escape from Central Jail Srinagar.