Incident Summary:

06/07/2012: Assailants detonated an explosive device outside of the Sar-e-Pul prison in Sari Pul, Afghanistan. The building was damaged in the blast, allowing at least 14 prisoners to escape. Four people were killed and another 28 injured in the gun battle that followed the explosion; the casualties included prisoners and police. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident.

GTD ID:
201206070004

When:
2012-06-07

Country:
Afghanistan

Region:
South Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Sari Pul

City:
Unknown

Location Details:
Outside a wall of the Sar-e-Pul prison

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Police
Name of Entity General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centers (GDPDC)
Specific Description Sari Pul Prison
Nationality of Target Afghanistan
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Unknown Explosive Type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information Source provide conflicting information concerning the number of casualties. In addition, unconfirmed reports state that as many as 130 prisoners escaped.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Taliban Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Personal claim)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 4 Fatalities / 28 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 4
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 28
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Several Taliban escape from prison in Afghan north," Reuters News, June 8, 2012.
"Taliban attack Sare Pul prison," Afghan Islamic Press (AIP), June 8, 2012.
"Taleban claim responsibility for prison blast in Afghan north," Afghan Islamic Press, June 8, 2012.