105 including women freed from Taliban prisons

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The Afghan Special Forces have freed over 100 people, including women-run prisons in southern Helmand province, the governor’s office said on Thursday.

Five women and several elderly men were among those rescued as a result of overnight raids on the Taliban jails in Kajaki district, a statement from the governor’s house said.

Commando forces from the 7th Kandak raided the prisons in Sur Karez and Deh Baba areas of the restive district. The operations left four Taliban fighters dead and a fifth wounded.

Some weapons, 10 motorbikes, as many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ammunition were seized during the operation.

Meanwhile, the Taliban confirmed the operations. The group’s spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi told Pajhwok Afghan News both Afghan and US forces raided the jails.

He said 93 people, who had been jailed for different offences, were released. The Taliban suffered no causalities, he concluded.

pk/mud