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| Afghanistan |
| Prison breakout attempt underway |
| 2006-02-26 |
| Inmates have taken control of a wing of Afghanistan's main high-security jail, Pul-e-Charkhi in Kabul, officials say. Sources have told the BBC four inmates have been killed, although top Afghan officials have denied any deaths. The violence apparently began as an escape attempt in a section holding both Taleban and al-Qaeda militants as well as ordinary criminals. Hundreds of prisoners are barricaded inside a women's wing of the jail, parts of which are on fire. Some have tried to escape by climbing the walls. A senior official told the BBC that two female prison guards had been taken hostage by prisoners. Afghan army fast reaction troops have entered the prison - reinforcing Interior Ministry security forces, who were already on the scene - and are trying to bring the situation under control, Gen Zaher Azimi told the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul. There has been ongoing gunfire at the scene. Police have sealed off the affected wing and no-one has escaped, jail officials say. An official told the BBC that Taleban and al-Qaeda elements were responsible for the violence. Last month, seven Taleban suspects escaped from the jail, with prison guards accused by officials of helping the break-out. |
| Posted by:Paul Moloney |