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Afghanistan: Talibanis storm jail and release hundreds of prisoners

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 13 February 2017, 4:29 IST

Talibanis today stormed into a prison in Ghazni, Afghanistan, killing police personnel and released hundreds of prisoners.

Three suicide bombers and a car were apparently used to destroy the jail's main entrance. It appears that almost all the prisoners have escaped.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said gunmen and three suicide bombers attacked the prison and freed 400 prisoners. The three bombers were killed, he said.

"Forty Afghan security forces and prison guards were killed in the prison break and important military mujahideen officials have been freed," he said.

The Taliban often exaggerates casualty tolls in statements about attacks on the government and foreign targets.

Mohammed Ali Ahmadi, deputy governor of Ghazni, has said that around 352 prisoners have escaped, including around 150 Talibanis.

The Taliban is fighting to overthrow the foreign-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani, expel foreign forces from Afghanistan and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

First published: 14 September 2015, 10:40 IST