By IANS,
Baghdad: More than 200 prisoners escaped from an Iraqi jail housing Al Qaeda men after dozens of inmates seized weapons from guards Thursday and killed five policemen, said security officials.
The incident occurred in Tikrit city, 170 km north of the capital Baghdad, after dozens of prisoners snatched weapons from guards and soon took the building under their control, Xinhua quoted a police source as saying.
The riot, believed to be organised by Al Qaeda linked prisoners, also wounded two others including the prison director, Brigadier Leith Alskmana, the source added.
The prison housed some 900 prisoners including dozens of Al Qaeda members.
Large reinforcement of military and police personnel encircled the surrounding area.
Helicopters were seen patrolling and a curfew was imposed in the city. Security forces, however, were yet to regain full control over the prison and exchange of fire was still going on till last report, the source added.