7 Afghan inmates escape from prison in eastern Paktia province

GARDEZ, Afghanistan, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of seven prisoners escaped from a jail in the eastern Paktia province on Sunday, provincial government spokesman Abdullah Hasrat said Monday.

According to the official, the seven detainees escaped the central jail in provincial capital Gardez city late Sunday night and the search for the inmates is currently underway.

However, he didn't say if the escapees were political detainees or criminals, adding investigation has been initiated to determine their identities and the nature of their crimes.