Kolkata, Aug 9 - Six undertrials fled a correctional home in West Bengal after their associates gave drug-laced soft drinks to security personnel at the gate, a police official said Sunday.

The incident took place at the Durgapur sub-correctional home in Burdwan district Saturday night. Inspector General (Western Range) Kuldip Singh told IANS that none of the six undertrials or their three associates have been apprehended so far.

'We have launched a search operation in all nearby areas. All police stations have also been alerted,' Kuldip Singh said on phone.

The three associates had come to the correctional home Saturday and sought permission to meet the undertrials, saying they were their 'friends'.