Afghan Interior Ministry said in a statement that Taliban fighters stormed a prison in south-eastern Afghanistan early Monday, killing police guards and releasing 355 prisoners.
It said 148 of those released were convicted of security-related related crimes, indicating that they were mostly Taliban.
It said others were jailed for a wider range of criminal activities.
Nasir Ahmad-Fakiri, Provincial Council member, also confirmed it that more than 10 militants attacked the main prison in Ghazni city.
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.
“In the hour-long fight, three Taliban were killed, while six were able to flee with the escaped prisoners.
“It was a well-planned operation, because when the police tried to reach the prison they came across roadside bombs on the way.”
Ahmad-Fakiri said four security guards were killed and seven were injured.
He said the police have recaptured three of the escaped inmates.
A security official said on condition of anonymity that the assailants were wearing Afghan security forces uniforms.
Meanwhile, the Taliban said the jailbreak 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.
dpa/NAN.
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