As part of their offensive against the administration in Kabul, the Taliban overran Kandahar prison on Wednesday, releasing hundreds of prisoners.
Kandahar Central Prison in Afghanistan | Photo credit: India Today
HIGHLIGHTS
- India Today reported that Taliban were circling Kandahar prison
- General prison in Kandahar has been completely captured: Taliban spokesman
- The Afghan government has moved more than 3,000 Taliban fighters from Kandahar prison
The Taliban broke into Kandahar Central Prison and released hundreds of detainees. Afghan media quoted Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi to confirm that the group had “captured” Kandahar Central Prison on Wednesday.
It is not the first time the Taliban have released prisoners from Kandahar Prison, also known as Sarposa Prison. A similar attack was carried out on the prison complex in 2008 and 2011.
Scene in front of Kandahar Central Prison in Afghanistan on Wednesday | Credits: India Today
Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan, said: “The general prison in downtown Kandahar was completely captured this afternoon as a result of a long siege and violent attacks. The staff surrendered and all prisoners were released. “
READ: Taliban take control of 65% of Afghanistan as major cities fall and lakhs are driven out in turmoil
He also said that the detainees were “welcome” when they were released from Kandahar Prison.
The development takes place in the midst of a rapidly changing scenario in Afghanistan: The Taliban took district by district in Kabul on Wednesday evening as part of their offensive against the government of President Ashraf Ghani.
Just last month India Today had Kandahar. visited and reported how the Taliban circled the prison complex and demanded the prisoners’ release.
The Afghan government has moved more than 3,000 Taliban fighters from Kandahar prison in the past few weeks.
Scene in front of Kandahar Central Prison in Afghanistan on Wednesday | Credits: India Today
However, the prison complex was still home to hundreds of prisoners, including Taliban fighters, when he was arrested on Wednesday.
A European Union (EU) official said Wednesday that the The Taliban now control 65 percent of Afghanistan. The statement came after the Taliban took control of Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of northern Baghlan province, on Tuesday evening.
In addition to Pul-e-Khumri, the Taliban managed to conquer six other provincial capitals last week.
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