ISAF treats prisoners after explosion in Farah City Prison

Two prisoners were treated at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Farah after an explosion occurred in the Farah City Prison, 2:10 a.m., Farah, Afghanistan, July 18

Inmates reportedly orchestrated a prison break early this morning by detonating emplaced explosives on the inner gate of the Farah City Prison. According to prison officials, several inmates attempted to escape but the majority were recaptured, an undetermined number are still unaccounted for, one prison guard was killed, and four prisoners were brought to Farah City Hospital with two prisoners that were critically-injured transferred to FOB Farah for treatment. “This is another example of the coalitions efforts to provide support to GIRoA [Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan] and its citizens, as well as assistance to those in need, regardless of their circumstances,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jim Mann of Schenectady, N.Y., Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah commander. One of the prisoners suffered injuries to the leg while the other suffered injuries to the wrist. Both injuries were caused by impact from the explosion. The inmates were originally brought to Farah City Hospital, but later transferred to FST on FOB Farah for further intensive care. FST medical professionals placed hardware in both the leg and the wrist of the prisoners in order to stabilize their bones; they will be transferred to Camp Arena in Herat, Afghanistan for further treatment. Members from the Farah Provincial Council and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) visited the prison to assess the damage after the incident.

“The PRT is working with ministry of justice personnel to repair the gate,” said Major Paul Bollenbacher of Wyckoff, N.J., civil military operations director for PRT Farah. Afghan National Army soldiers have stepped in to provide necessary security in support of the ministry of justice security personnel. The whole emergency phase and the subsequent searching activities were managed by Afghan National Security Forces, which have kept the situation under control, showing their excellent efficiency and operative capabilities.