Prison attack kills 3 people in N. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, April 18 (KUNA) -- At least two police guards and an attacker were killed as militants attacked the central jail in the capital city of northern Faryab province of Afghanistan setting free three inmates, said officials.
A spokesman for the Faryab provincial government, Ahmad Jawad Dedar in a statement said that the breakout took place by using weapons smuggled into the facility. He confirmed that militants set free three inmates after a brief clash that left two guards dead. A fourth inmate who was also trying to escape was killed in a shootout with security forces, he added.
The spokesman said that the fugitives are low-level Taliban operatives who were jailed for planting roadside bombs. The four inmates launched their breakout throwing several grenades and shooting guards with at least one pistol.
A probe into the incident has been ordered and security forces have launched a search for the three fugitives.
The prison attack came at a time when officials count votes from the April 5 election across Afghanistan to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai. Whoever emerges victorious would be facing testing times as security situation worsens, close to the withdrawal of the NATO/ISAF forces due this year. (end) sbk.mt