Ghazni, Afghanistan (BBN)-Taliban militants have stormed a jail outside the central Afghan city of Ghazni, killing at least four policemen and freeing more than 350 prisoners.
The deputy governor of Ghazni province Mohammad Ali Ahmadi said one militant blew himself up at the prison gates, allowing others to force open cells, reports BBC.
The attackers were well-organised and wearing uniforms, he said.
It is the third time since 2008 that hundreds of Taliban inmates have escaped from an Afghan prison.
Both Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid and the deputy governor confirmed that three of the attackers had been killed.
The deputy governor said seven police officers were injured and only 80 prisoners were left inside the prison.
Both Mr Ahmadi and the Taliban said the escapees included a number of local Taliban commanders, as well as many other fighters.
Of those freed, the interior ministry said 148 had been jailed for attacks on security forces, while 207 had been convicted for other crimes. Only three prisoners had been recaptured so far.
Ahmadi did not reject the possibility the attackers had had help from inside the jail.
AFGHAN JAIL BREAKS
June 2008: More than 900 prisoners escape from Sarposa prison in Kandahar after a suicide bomber blasted open the gates.
July 2010: Nineteen prisoners escape after a blast at a prison in Farah province.
November 2009: Twelve prisoners escape after tunnelling out of a jail from their cells in Farah.
April 2011: More than 470 inmates escape from a Kandahar jail through through a 360m (1,180ft) tunnel dug from outside.
BBN/SK/AD