Troops uncover Taliban torture chamber

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, March 12 (UPI) -- British and Afghan National Army troops operating in Afghanistan's Upper Gereshk Valley say they uncovered a Taliban torture chamber.

Officials believe the 8ft by 4ft underground facility uncovered north of Forward Operating Base Keenan, was used to torture local Afghan citizens. Officials say in the blood-soaked chamber, British and Afghan troops found chains used for stringing up prisoners and a pair of shackles along with bamboo canes, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

British Coldstream Guards were alerted to the chamber with intelligence from Afghan National Army. Officials say troops also found "two Afghan police uniforms -- one of which had the crotch ripped out -- plus the butt of a Kalashnikov assault rifle and wires carrying full electric power," the release said.

"We heard the Afghan National Army had been badly spooked by something," Lance Cpl. Steve Walker said in a statement. "They had found a torture chamber and we went down a set of steps to the 8ft by 4ft room.

"Chains were hanging from the ceiling; broken glass was on the floor and bamboo sticks which we presume were for beatings. There was definitely dried blood on the floor. I knew that sort of stuff probably goes on but you don't expect to come across it."

Officials say troops have destroyed the torture facility with explosives.