Pakistan Prison Attack: Gunmen Launch Assault On Jail In Dera Ismail Khan, Police Say

Gunmen Attack Pakistani Prison Holding Hundreds Of Militants
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Reuters reports that gunmen have launched an attack on a prison in Pakistan:

UPDATE 3:51 P.M.

The Express Tribune reports that the gunmen tried to enter the prison wearing police uniforms and are firing rocket launchers and grenades in a standoff with security forces. Army forces have been called in, while two policemen have been injured in the attacks.

More from the Associated Press:

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — An intelligence official and a local resident say militants have attacked a prison in northwest Pakistan.

The attack around midnight Monday in Dera Ismail Khan town appeared to be an attempt by the militants to free their colleagues.

The attack began with a huge explosion and several smaller blasts before security forces engaged the attackers.

The intelligence official says the militants are shouting "God is great" and "Long live the Taliban." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

The local resident, Sharafat Khan, says the blast was so strong that it rattled neighborhood houses. He says he is hearing continuous gunfire.

Dera Ismail Khan is on the edge of Pakistan's tribal region, the main sanctuary for Taliban and al-Qaida militants.

This is a developing story. Check back for more breaking news updates.

Before You Go

Abu Ghraib Prison
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In this Sept. 2, 2006, file photo, an Iraqi army soldier closes the door of a cell, in Abu Ghraib prison after the Iraqi government took over control from U.S. forces, on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File) (credit:AP)
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In this Feb. 21, 2009 file photo, guards stand at a cell block at the renovated Abu Ghraib prison, now renamed Baghdad Central Prison and run by Iraqis in Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim, File) (credit:AP)
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A detainee in an outdoor solitary confinement cell talks with a military policeman at the Abu Ghraib prison on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday, June 22, 2004. (AP Photo/John Moore, File) (credit:AP)
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In this Sept. 2, 2006, file photo, Iraqi army soldiers stand guard at the Abu Ghraib prison, after taking over from U.S. soldiers, on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File) (credit:AP)
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An interior view at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Iraqi security guard secures the site at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Prison security personnel stand guard at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Detainees stand in the Abu Ghraib prison yard while waiting to be released on June 27, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Ali Jasim-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Iraqi security officer stands guard at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Iraqi security officer stands guard at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Iraqi army soldier patrols outside of the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Iraqi security officer stands guard at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Iraqi security officer stands guard at the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq.(Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Iraqi security guards patrol outside of the newly opened Baghdad Central Prison in Abu Ghraib on February 21, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A detainee talks to a U.S. soldier in the Abu Ghraib prison yard while waiting to be released on June 27, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo by Ali Jasim-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)