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Four Killed In Afghan Prison Riot


Afghan officials say four people were killed and 10 others injured on March 8 when inmates in a prison in northern Afghanistan attacked police officers.

Provincial police chief Faqir Mohammad Jauzjani said the violence occurred as officers at the jail in Jowzjan Province were searching for knives and other contraband items.

The prison complex, located in Shebirghan, the provincial capital, holds some 800 inmates in separate male and female lockups. Its prisoners are from both Jawzjan and neighboring Sari Pul Province.

Jauzjani said inmates attacked three officers inside a jail cell.

"They killed all the three officers, either by knives they had or using the officers' guns," he said, adding that other prisoners also started to riot and attacked the guard towers.

One prisoner was killed and 10 others injured in the ensuing fighting, Jauzjani said.

"The rioters were the Taliban fighters. And I think it was a jailbreak conspiracy," said Jauzjani.

The Taliban have not commented on the incident.

Based on reporting by dpa and AP
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