Members of the Taliban attacked a prison in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on June 13, 2008. Using 30 insurgents on motorcycles and two suicide bombers, the group managed to free many of the prisoners located within the unit.
Jailbreak
Claiming responsibility for the attack, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said that 30 members on motorcycles and two suicide bombers were responsible for the jailbreak. He claims about 400 Taliban were released from the prison as a result.BBC News: Taliban Jail Raid Frees Hundreds (June 13, 2008)
Disputed Figures
Police chief Sayed Agha Saqib of Kandahar stated that 870 inmates were released due to the bombing.AP: Afghan official: 870 inmates escaped (June 14, 2008)NATO spokesman Brig. General Carolos Branco stated the escapees number 1,100.AP: Afghan official: 870 inmates escaped (June 14, 2008)
The Taliban
The Taliban is a religious and political group of radical followers of Islam. The group has close ties to Osama Bin Laden and helped harbor him in Afghanistan following the 9-11 attacks.
References
Fast Facts
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Occurred around 10 p.m. local time
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State of emergency declared in Kandahar
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Residents ordered to stay in homes
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Canadian troops secured the prison after the attack
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Kandahar is under command of Canadian forces
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Canada invested $1 million to upgrade the prison
