Taliban attack on jail springs 250 inmates

The militants killed six policemen, six Shiite Muslim prisoners and two civilians during the attack in the town of Dera Ismail Khan.

Around 70 militants arrived at the prison by car and motorcycle to launch the attack, which lasted for about four hours, intelligence officials said.

The attack began with a huge explosion, with the militants then detonating dozens of smaller bombs along the prison walls, causing them to collapse. They also fired rocket-propelled grenades and lobbed hand grenades.

Security forces engaged the attackers, who were chanting “God is great” and “Long live the Taliban.” At least eight attackers disguised in police uniforms entered the prison and used megaphones to call out the names of the prisoners they were looking for.

The militants broke open the cells and freed 253 prisoners, including 25 “dangerous terrorists,” a police spokesman said.

Officials received a letter threatening an attack on the jail, but they did not expect it so soon, the head of the prison department said.