KABUL (Pajhwok): The Wolesi Jirga on Monday lambasted the Ministry of Interior (MoI) over a brazen Taliban attack on a prison in southern Ghazni province, suggesting the minister be summoned to the lower house.
At least 436 prisoners ran away as a result of the overnight attack in Ghazni City, the provincial capital. Deputy police chief, Asadullah Insafi confirmed the attack to Pajhwok Afghan News, but gave no more details.  
Abdul Rashid, the Ghazni attorney, said four policemen guarding the prison were killed and six others wounded in the daring Taliban assault, which led to the escape of 436 inmates.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said three of the assailants had been killed and the remaining seven returned to their respective areas.
Ali Akbar Qasimi, a lawmaker from the province, claimed some prisoners, who kicked up a ruckus on Sunday, were shifted to the National Directorate of Security (NDS) office. Intelligence officials had been told about the Taliban plan to attack the facility, he revealed.
Despite having the tip-off, security officials could not prevent the assault, said the lawmaker, asking how a government that could not secure a prison would defend the country.
Mir Dad Khan, head of the house internal security commission, also blamed MoI for the incident. He said the ministry had failed to discharge its duty and the house should deal with the authorities concerned in accordance with the law.
Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said the attack had raised multiple disquieting question, because it took place despite top security officials being alerted about the possibility.
He tasked the internal affairs commission with summoning the interior minister to the lower house to brief lawmakers on the prison attack. A vote of no confidence should be tabled against the minister if he failed to come up with a satisfactory response.
nh/mud