Taliban attack Pakistani jail, nearly 400 escape

Islamabad, April 15 (IANS) Nearly 400 inmates escaped from a Pakistani jail early Sunday after Taliban militants attacked the facility with guns and grenades.

Over 100 militants launched the attack around 1.30 a.m. in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The militants first blew up the prison's main gate with grenades and then attacked the guards with automatic weapons.

They opened six barracks by firing at the locks of the cells, Xinhua reported.

Of the 944 inmates at the prison, 384 escaped, police officer Sahib Jan said.

Twenty-five people, including policemen, were injured.

One of the escaped prisoners was involved in a suicide attack on the then Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack and said they have freed over 1,200 prisoners.