Police have sounded a red alert after two undertrial inmates escaped from Karimganj district jail on Wednesday night.

The police have sealed the India-Bangladesh border in the district.

Police sources said two undertrials — Samsul Islam of Moulvibazar of Bangladesh and Najim Ahmed of Bhangabazar of Karimganj district — escaped from the jail around 2.30am.

Islam illegally entered India two years back and was found involved in many crimes. He was arrested on June 7, 2019.

Ahmed was arrested on May 18, 2018, in connection with the murder of a businessman of Bhanga, Habibur Rahman. Besides, he is also involved in 35 murder cases in the district.

Sources said both used a ladder inside the jail to climb the boundary wall when all the guards were allegedly sleeping.

After getting information from jail authorities, superintendent of police Kumar Sanjit Krishna and other top police officials rushed to the spot and launched a search operation.

Additional superintendent of police Jyoti Ranjan Nath said the duo would soon be rearrested.

Nath said they have also initiated an inquiry to ascertain whether any jail staff was involved in the incident or if there was any security lapse and if found anything against the any staff, strong action will be initiated. The superintendent of Karimganj district jail, Sanjib Kumar Chetiya, refused to comment.