Nimroz prison clash leaves 3 dead

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Three people, including a logistic officer, were killed during a clash at the central jail in southwestern Nimroz province, officials said on Saturday.

The incident took place at the prison in Zaranj, the provincial capital, on Friday evening, when a visitor entered the jail with a silent pistol.

The visitor handed over his gun to one of the prisoners who opened fire at jail officials, critically wounding the logistic officer, Ghulam Hazrat, sources told Pajhowk Afghan News on condition of anonymity.

The visitor and the prisoner who fired at the guards were killed in retaliation, the sources said, adding that Ghulam Hazrat later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Governor Amir Mohammad Akhunzada said police had opened their investigations into what he called a jailbreak attempt involving insurgents.

Meanwhile, provincial police chief Mohammad Qasim Jangal Bagh identified the slain prisoner as Mohammad Rozi, who had been serving his 15 years sentence on drug smuggling charges.

nh/ma