Taliban and al Qaeda militants took control of a wing of the Afghan capital's main high security prison and at least 30 prisoners were wounded in attempts to quell the riot today.
The unrest erupted last night after prisoners led by Taliban and al Qaeda militants took two female guards captive during a row over attempts to implement a new rule requiring inmates to wear prison uniforms, government officials said.
"As far as we know, some 1,500 prisoners are involved in this incident," a security official said.
"It went out of control and a clash broke out between the prisoners, including many Taliban, and the police, in which 30 people have been wounded," he said.
Bursts of gunfire were heard from within the sprawling prison compound on the eastern outskirts of Kabul last night and this morning.
Heavily armed police and troops backed by tanks and armoured personnel carriers took positions outside the perimeter and security forces prevented journalists from approaching.
Deputy Justice Minister Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai, said four prisoners were wounded while trying to escape from the prison.
"I have also heard that 20 more prisoners have been wounded, but the people behind this unrest are not ready to hand them over to us for treatment," he told reporters outside the prison.
He said the situation was under control, but the riot was not over.
"Taliban and al Qaeda members from different countries are behind this unrest. They still control the wing from where they had started the riot."