Taliban fighters attacked the central prison in Ghazni province, killing police officers and freeing hundreds of prisoners. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, the deputy governor of Ghazni, stated that the attack began early on Monday morning, September 14 (23 Shahrivar), with a suicide bomber in a vehicle. The explosion opened the way for Taliban forces to storm the prison. This Afghan official added that over 400 prisoners have escaped, with 80 of them captured so far, while 352 others, including 150 Taliban members, remain at large. During the attack, seven Taliban fighters and four Afghan security personnel were killed. Mohammad Ali Ahmadi told Reuters that the roads leading to the prison had been previously mined by the Taliban to prevent reinforcements from reaching the site of the conflict. An army vehicle attempting to send reinforcements to the prison was destroyed by roadside bombs. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, confirmed that the attack was carried out by the group and added that three suicide bombers were involved. The deputy governor of Ghazni mentioned that the prison had low security because it is about seven kilometers from the city center, and it was assumed that reinforcements could quickly reach the prison in case of any incident. He also noted that 20 very dangerous prisoners had been transferred to another prison a day before the attack. Ghazni city officials reported that during the night, the Taliban attacked at least 10 other locations in the city. A security official stated that the attackers were armed with machine guns and RPGs and wore Afghan security uniforms. A Reuters reporter at the Ghazni prison, located 120 kilometers southwest of Kabul, saw the bodies of two men who appeared to be suicide bombers and the wreckage of a vehicle used to breach the main gate of the prison. In 2011, about 500 Taliban members and commanders escaped from a prison in Kunduz province, which Afghan government officials described as a "security disaster." The Taliban continues to fight to overthrow the central government of Afghanistan, expel foreign forces, and establish an Islamic government based on their radical interpretation of Islamic law.
400 Prisoners Escape in Taliban Attack on Ghazni Central Prison
The Taliban launched a coordinated attack on the Ghazni central prison, resulting in the escape of over 400 prisoners, including many Taliban members. The assault involved suicide bombers and was part of a broader strategy to undermine Afghan security forces. This incident highlights the ongoing instability in Afghanistan and the Taliban's capability to execute large-scale operations.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Taliban launched a coordinated attack on the Ghazni central prison, resulting in the escape of over 400 prisoners, including many Taliban members. The assault involved suicide bombers and was part of a broader strategy to undermine Afghan security forces.
- Over 400 prisoners escaped, including 150 Taliban members.
- The attack involved multiple suicide bombers and was well-coordinated.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Taliban has been fighting to overthrow the Afghan government and establish an Islamic state, leading to a prolonged conflict that has significant implications for regional security.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%