Balkh police chief on Saturday said six men have been arrested for aiding in the escape of eight prisoners in Mazar-e-Sharif city.

Balkh police chief Gen. Mohammad Akram Sami did not give information about the identities of the arrested men and said they will be handed over to the legal and judicial institutions. 

Two days ago, armed men helped eight prisoners escape from police custody in Mazar-e-Sharif city and killed a police officer, Sami said. 

He said the six men had been arrested in relation to this case. 

“We have arrested six people and seized two weapons and one car. The investigations will reveal which group they belong to,” said Sami. 
 
Two days ago, eight prisoners were transferred from Balkh’s Khulm district to the provincial capital. The prisoners however escaped while in police custody at the Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi International Airport in Mazar-e-Sharif city. 

Khulm district police headquarters released a video that was widely published by social media users. The video shows that Khulm police forces arrested a few illegal armed men and seized their weapons. 

Khulm district police chief Noor Mohammad Khaksar said Saturday when they arrived at the airport they were ambushed by armed men and the prisoners escaped. 

“When we were transferring them (the prisoners), the convoy was ambushed by a large number of armed men,” said Khaksar.

A number of civil society activists in Balkh said the prison break was questionable. 

“The arrested men should be immediately handed to legal and judicial departments and they should be brought to justice fairly,” Sayed Mukhtar Ahmadi, a civil society activist said. 

Balkh residents also said illegal armed men in the city have created problems for them and they are tired of the situation. 

“We are tired of war and violence,” Balkh resident Sayed Jafar said. 

 “We are tired of illegal armed men,” Balkh resident Zekrullah said. 

The residents also asked police to reveal the identities of the arrested men.