The prisoner, Palwinder escaped in this morning after the gunmen open fired at police personnel who were taking him to Nabha hospital from Patiala prison following a health issue, they said, adding that one police officer was injured in the firing.
The armed men, who were waiting outside the hospital, threw chili powder in the eyes of police personnel before opening fire, police said.
Following the incident, the area was cordoned off and all entry and exit points of the city have been sealed.