The undertrials, arrested for alleged attempt to abduct a businessman and on charges of murder, came close to the gate to meet the friends.

At this point, the friends offered soft drinks to the securitymen, who fell unconscious soon after gulping it down.

The three then took the keys of the gate from the securitymen and fled with the undertrials.

A district official said the securitymen, now admitted in the the Durgapur sub-divisional hospital, would be quizzed.

'We want to know whether any correctional home employee was involved,' he said.