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    April 15, 2012

Hundreds Escape Pakistan Prison

   VOA News
   Policemen gather near a damaged jail gate after inmates escaped from
   the prison in the city of Bannu, Pakistan's northwest, April 15, 2012.
   Photo: Reuters
   Policemen gather near a damaged jail gate after inmates escaped from
   the prison in the city of Bannu, Pakistan's northwest, April 15, 2012.

   Officials in northwestern Pakistan say about 150 insurgents, armed with
   guns and rocket-propelled grenades, have stormed a prison, freeing more
   than 380 prisoners.
   Authorities say many of those who escaped during the attack early
   Sunday were militants.
   Prison officials describe 20 of the freed inmates as "dangerous."
   One of the men was on death row for his involvement in an assassination
   attempt on former President Pervez Musharraf.
   The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the assault.
   The prison in the town of Bannu houses nearly 1,000 inmates.
   Bannu is located at the entrance of North Waziristan, a known hub of
   Taliban and al-Qaida extremists.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP.

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