KABUL, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Unknown armed men in their attempt to set free a comrade from a jail in western Herat province raided Shindand prison but fled away after facing police resistance, a local newspaper reported Sunday.

    "A group of armed persons attacked a prison in Shindand district Friday night and police returned fire resultantly one attacker was killed and another sustained injuries forcing them to flee," Arman-e-Millie reported.

    However, it did not identify the attackers. Often Taliban and al-Qaida make such attempt to ensure the release of their comrades.

    A Taliban operative ensured his release from Kabul prison about one month ago and joined the militants in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.