KANDAHAR CITY - A dozen high-profile Taliban inmates have mistakenly been freed from the central jail in southern Kandahar province with falsified documents, officials said on Sunday.

Kandahar Police Chief Col. Rahmatullah Atrafi told Pajhwok Afghan News a letter from the Attorney’s Office had ordered the release of 16 prisoners, who had their jail terms served. But later it appeared the letter bore fake signature of the attorney.

Those released included 12 detainees who had hand in terrorist activities in Kandahar City and districts, he said.

Atrafi said a joint team involving officials from the Attorney’s Office, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), police and prison officials had been constituted to launch a thoroughgoing review into the matter.

A well-placed source, wishing not to be named, said the freed captives belonged to the group of Maulvi Munib, who is accused of several attacks in the province.

Police said the Taliban fighters had mistakenly been released after wardens received a fake letter claiming to be from the national intelligence agency.

Some of the inmates were legitimately due for release, but the names of another 12 were mysteriously added to the letter and two of those had since been recaptured.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the incident, which comes two years after several high profile detainees escaped from the jail through a tunnel. (Pajhwok)