Militants seize parts of Afghan jail

Taliban and al Qaeda inmates armed with makeshift weapons took control of parts of Kabul's main jail and at least 30 prisoners were wounded in efforts to quell the riot, officials said yesterday.

Bursts of gunfire were heard from the high security Pul-i-Charkhi prison after hundreds of police and troops surrounded the prison on the Afghan capital's eastern outskirts.

A police officer at the scene said seven prisoners were killed but his account could not be independently confirmed.

The unrest erupted late on Saturday and continued throughout yesterday after prisoners led by Taliban and al Qaeda militants took two female guards captive in a row over attempts to implement a new rule requiring inmates to wear uniform, government officials said.

"As far as we know, some 1,500 prisoners are involved in this incident," a security official said on condition of anonymity.

"It went out of control and a clash broke out between the prisoners, including many Taliban, and the police, in which 30 people have been wounded," he said.

Deputy Justice Minister Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai, tasked with quelling the riot, said the jail housed more than 2,000 prisoners, about 350 of whom were Taliban or al Qaeda militants.

"Taliban and al Qaeda members from different countries are behind this unrest," he said.

Hundreds of police and troops backed by tanks and armoured personnel carriers took position outside the jail. Nato peacekeepers and soldiers from the US military force in Afghanistan were also at the scene.

Flames were seen from windows of two wings of the jail after inmates - who police said had makeshift weapons including clubs made from broken beds - set fire to bedding and chanted "Long live the prisoners" and "Allahu Akbar", or "God is Greatest".

Officials said there were attempts to negotiate with inmates, but sporadic gunshots followed. General Ezmarai Khan, commander of the Afghan army's Quick Reaction Force, said the prisoners had demanded to speak to Red Cross and human rights workers but then refused to talk to them.