Jelebu police chief Azizan Said said a report on the escapees, aged between 25 and 42, was lodged at 1am.

He said one of them, a 35-year-old man, was recaptured within 24 hours near a factory at Kongkoi, Jelebu, some 5km from the centre.

“Police have launched an operation to track down the remaining escapees, with the assistance of the K9 unit from the Negeri Sembilan police headquarters and officers from the Jelebu branch of the National Anti-Drugs Agency,” Bernama reported him as saying.

Azizan said the trainees still at large were P Tinogaran, 36, whose last known address is Apartment Taman Sentosa in Perak; G Vinaiyetiran, 36, from Taman Munsyi Ibrahim in Johor; V Manimaran, 38, from Taman Seri Bernam in Selangor; S Bala Ganes, 42, from Bandar Baru Sultan Suleiman, Selangor; and K Mohanarajh, 25, from Taman Bertuah in Perak.

He urged members of the public with information to contact the nearest police station or the Jelebu police headquarters at 06-613 6222 or 06-613 7999.

The case is being investigated under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code for escape from confinement and resistance to lawful apprehension.