Ring of steel around rioting prisoners

LASHKAR GAR - Afghan, Nato and US forces threw a ring of steel around the main high-security prison in Kabul yesterday after it was taken over by more than 1500 Taleban and al Qaeda prisoners.

At least 30 prisoners were injured and unconfirmed reports said seven others were killed in fighting after inmates took two female prison guards hostage in protest at new orders requiring them to wear uniforms.

Bursts of gunfire could be heard throughout the day from Pulicharkhi prison after the heavily-armed Afghan police rapid reaction unit entered the complex in an attempt to prevent a mass break-out.

Prisoners were heard chanting "Allah uh Akhbar" in between the firing.

Pulicharkhi, which holds around 2000 prisoners, became notorious during Afghanistan's communist era, with allegations of torture and secret executions.

About 110 detainees held by the US at Guantanamo Bay are expected to be transferred there this year.

The prisoners had allowed 70 women inmates to be moved to another part of the prison after storming into the female wing from their own.

Military commanders were on standby last night (NZT).

"Until now now there has been no change," said an officer, who did not want to be identified. "We have not had breakfast yet. Once we have, the commanders will decide what to do."

Security forces had yet to gain access to parts of the jail under the prisoners' control.

"I have heard that prisoners have been injured. Taleban and al Qaeda members from different countries are behind this unrest," said the Deputy Justice Minister, Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai.

"They still control the wing from where they had started the riot. They have demands; we are going to listen to what they want. If we cannot solve it through negotiations, we have our own options."

The violence began after inmates were issued with uniforms.

Until then, they were allowed to wear civilian clothing but the rules were changed after seven suspected Taleban prisoners escaped last month pretending to be departing visitors.

Prison guards are believed to have assisted with the escape.

General Mahboub Amiri, the chief of Kabul's rapid reaction police force, said Taleban members triggered the riot in an attempt to break out of the prison.

"They started the trouble and then tried to use that as cover to get away," he said. "The injuries to prisoners happened while this was going on."

Abdul Salaam Bakshi, the prison director, said the inmates had attacked guards and tried to force their way out of their prison block.

They were armed with knives and clubs fashioned from furniture, he said, and had set fire to bedding.

"All the problem is inside the prison," said Bakshi.

- INDEPENDENT