Afghan police and troops backed by tanks have surrounded a high security prison in Kabul after Taleban and al-Qaida inmates armed with makeshift weapons took control of parts of the facility.
Officials say more than 20 prisoners were injured during attempts to quell the riot at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison, while unconfirmed reports say there were several fatalities. The unrest began late Saturday and continued throughout Sunday after prison authorities began issuing new uniforms to inmates. The uniforms are intended to prevent a repeat of an escape by seven Taleban inmates last month.
Afghan government officials say the uprising appears to have started in the prison section which contains about 300 Taleban and al-Qaida militants from different countries. They say government attempts to negotiate have failed because of disunity among the inmates and confusion over their demands.