World | Afghanistan
Afghan officials probe deaths during jail clash
Afghan officials are investigating the deaths of eight prisoners at the country's largest prison during a clash between guards and prisoners, a Justice Ministry official said yesterday.
- AP
- Published: 23:53 December 6, 2008
Kabul: Afghan officials are investigating the deaths of eight prisoners at the country's largest prison during a clash between guards and prisoners, a Justice Ministry official said yesterday.
Prison officials on Thursday tried to search cell blocks for weapons, knives and cell phones, but prisoners resisted the search attempt, said Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai, the deputy justice minister. Prisoners set fire to mattresses and pillows, and smoke billowed out of the prison.
In response, prison guards entered the block and fired their guns. Eight prisoners were killed and 10 prisoners and three guards were wounded in the clash, Hashimzai said.
"Right now an investigation is under way to learn how these prisoners were killed, if it was by gunfire or by prisoners' knives," Hashimzai said.
Prison officials searched the cell blocks on Friday and collected prisoners' telephones and knives.
Canada toll
Grim
milestone
Canada's death toll in Afghanistan has surpassed the grim milestone of 100 after a roadside bomb killed three soldiers.
Brig. Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's top military commander in Afghanistan, said they died Friday when their armoured vehicle hit an explosive device while they were patrolling west of Kandahar city.
Canada has now lost 100 soldiers and one diplomat in Afghanistan.
- AP
Afghanistan
French president in Afghanistan talks of pullout
Two foreign doctors abducted
US ambassador to Kabul to quit, embassy says
Afghan troops complain about obsolete gear
Top Afghan peace negotiator killed
Procurement switch puts boot into Afghan dream
US struck secret deal with Taliban
Soldiers take dogs back home to bust stress
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
