Afghan officials probe deaths during jail clash

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