At least 15 killed in Afghanistan during hunt for militants

Comments | AFP, June, 2008

KABUL (AFP) — More than 15 insurgents were killed in Afghanistan as security forces hunted for hundreds of militants who escaped from prison after a daring Taliban attack, police and troops said Sunday.

Afghan and international troops have been searching for more than 1,100 escapees who fled after the militant group blasted open the prison in the southern city of Kandahar and then shot the guards late on Friday.

The prison raid was a blow to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, coming one day after world donors pledged 20 billion dollars to rebuild Afghanistan at a conference in Paris -- but also called on him to strengthen the rule of law.

More than 15 militants were killed at a farm compound in restive Kandahar province during the search for the escapees, the...