Taliban storm Afghan prison, free over 100 of inmates

Kabul – Taliban fighters stormed a prison in south-eastern Afghanistan early on Monday, killing police guards and releasing more than a hundred prisoners, officials said.

At least 10 militants attacked the main prison in Ghazni city, the capital of the province of the same name, provincial council member Nasir Ahmad Fakiri said.

“One suicide bomber in a car, loaded with bombs, blew himself up at the gate of the prison, letting other assailants enter the premises,” he said.

The attack took place at 02:00 local time. A local freelance reporter at the scene told dpa that it looked like all of the prisoners had escaped.

Fakiri said just 150 of the prisoners got away.

“In the hour-long fight three Taliban were killed, while six were able to flee” with the escaped prisoners, he told dpa.

Well-planned operation

“It was a well-planned operation, because when the police tried to reach the prison they came across roadside bombs on the way.”

Shafiq Nang Safai, the provincial governor’s spokesperson, said the jail had 436 prisoners of whom 152 escaped, including many Taliban.

“Four security guards were killed and seven were injured,” he said.

One security official told dpa that the assailants were wearing Afghan security forces uniforms.

The Taliban confirmed the incident, saying it was part of their Azm operation that started in late April. The Islamic movement has been fighting the Kabul administration and foreign forces for 14 years.

This year they have taken over large swathes of remote districts, including some strategic areas, but have so far not gained control of the whole of any one of the country’s 34 provinces.