Prisoners flee in Afghan jail blast

Militants attacked a prison in Afghanistan with a car bomb and rockets, killing police and setting prisoners free, Afghan officials said tonight.

Justice Minister Sarwar Danish said a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle at the gates of the main prison in Kandahar.

Mr Danish said he did not have immediate details on how many prisoners might have escaped.

But a prison official on the scene said “most” prisoners escaped. The prison holds common criminals but also Taliban militants fighting Nato troops and the Afghan government.

Officials with Nato’s International Security Assistance Force said they are aware of the attack but do not yet have any details.