Islamabad (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - At least one policeman was killed and five others were held hostage by prisoners in a jail in Pakistan`s southern city of Larkana, reported local TV channel Express on Sunday.

According to the local media reports, the riot broke out among the prisoners in Larkana Central Jail in protest against an operation to move 200 prisoners to other jails. The prisoners refused to be moved because they were afraid it would cause trouble and inconvenience for their family members to visit them.

The protest, which started late Saturday evening, went out of control when some of the prisoners smashed the doors of three barracks and assaulted the jail police, said police sources.

The rioting prisoners attacked the police with bricks and stones. Seven police were reportedly wounded in the riot and one of the critically injured policeman later died at the local hospital.

An estimated 70 prisoners later surrendered to the police while the other rebellious prisoners are still holding the hostage of five jail officials.

The operation to free the five abducted policemen has been halted due to the fierce resistance by the rioting prisoners, said an jail officer, adding that they have called for the fresh contingents of district police and rangers for controlling the mutinous situation in the jail.
(Uu.H-AK)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011