In a daring jailbreak, seven hardcore members of the banned SIMI, accused of heinous crimes including murder, today escaped from the district prison here after stabbing two security guards, looting rifles and snatching wireless sets.

Following the audacious prison break, which could not be thwarted despite an exchange of fire, the Centre has sought an explanation from the Madhya Pradesh government, which launched a manhunt and apprehended one of the escapees.