Kabul, Afghanistan ? Hundreds of Afghan soldiers with tanks and grenade-launchers surrounded Kabul’s main prison Sunday after rioting inmates seized control of much of the facility in an uprising that officials blamed on al-Qaida and Taliban militants.

Local media reported several people were killed and dozens injured. But it appeared security forces had yet to gain access to parts of the jail under prisoners’ control, so officials could not confirm casualties. One official said at least four inmates were injured.

Gunshots occasionally rang out as troops tried to keep the prisoners bottled up. Officials said the rioters did not have any firearms but had armed themselves with small knives and clubs fashioned from furniture.

Smoke could be seen curling out of some cell windows, where inmates apparently set fire to bedding and furniture.

Government negotiators late Sunday suspended talks to end the standoff at the notorious Policharki Prison, which later this year is slated to receive dozens of Afghans currently in the U.S. military’s Guantanamo prison.

Afghan police officers discuss the events at Policharki Prison, seen in the background. Hundreds of inmates clashed with guards in a failed attempt to break out of the prison in Kabul, then took control of parts of the prison, officials said Sunday.

The riot broke out late Saturday in Block Two of the prison, which houses about 1,300 of the 2,000 inmates. Officials said the violence began when inmates refused to put on new uniforms, which were ordered after seven Taliban prisoners escaped last month by disguising themselves as visitors.

Officials said some 350 al-Qaida and Taliban loyalists were among the inmates in that block. Abdul Salaam Bakshi, chief of prisons in Afghanistan, accused them of inciting the other prisoners, mostly common criminals.

He said no inmates escaped from the prison block but guards had been forced out.

The Afghan army said it deployed 800 soldiers around the prison. Along with NATO peacekeepers, they parked at least 10 tanks and armored personnel carriers outside the gates.

Hashimzai said officials would try to resume negotiations today.