Nato-led International Security Assistance Force vehicles drive outside the main gate of the Pul-i-Charkhi prison near Kabul.

PUL-I-CHARKHI, Afghanistan: Taleban and Al Qaeda inmates took control of parts of the Afghan capital’s main high security prison and at least 30 prisoners were wounded in attempts to quell the riot, officials said yesterday.

Bursts of gunfire were heard from the Pul-i-Charkhi prison on the eastern outskirts of Kabul. A police officer at the scene said seven prisoners had been killed and inmates had set fire to bedding in two wings of the prison, but his account could not be independently confirmed.

The unrest erupted late on Saturday after prisoners led by Taleban and Al Qaeda militants took two female guards captive in a row over attempts to implement a new rule requiring inmates to wear prison uniforms, government officials said.

“As far as we know, some 1,500 prisoners are involved in this incident,” a security official said on condition of anonymity.

“It went out of control and a clash broke out between the prisoners, including many Taleban, and the police, in which 30 people have been wounded,” he said. Smoke could be seen coming from the prison after prisoners set fire to blankets and mattresses.

Earlier reports suggested the unrest was in one wing of the prison but others said it had spread to two.

Hundreds of armed police and troops backed by tanks took position outside the jail. Nato troops and soldiers from the US military force in Afghanistan were also seen.

An Afghan army officer at the scene said negotiations between government officials and inmates were taking place but sporadic gunshots followed.

Deputy Justice Minister Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai, tasked with quelling the riot, said he could not confirm a report from a police officer at the scene, that seven prisoners, including two Taleban, were dead.

Earlier Hashimzai said four prisoners were wounded trying to escape and that he had heard that 20 more prisoners were inside hurt, but the prisoners would not hand them over for treatment. “Taleban and Al Qaeda members from different countries are behind this unrest,” he said.

“It seems the situation will continue during the night. We are going to deploy our forces in various parts of the prison and get ready to prevent any kind of violence during the night.”