Militants take 100 children hostage in Pak school

' rel="nofollow">http://www.ptinews.com/...F10035A2E9?OpenDocument"]

Islamabad, Oct 29 (PTI) Taliban militants today briefly took more than 100 children hostage at a school in Pakistan's troubled northwestern tribal region before freeing them.
A group of 10 to 12 militants entered a state-run school in Darwaz Gai area of Mohmand tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, after a gun battle with security forces and took over the premises with the students inside.

However, they released the children after some time, officials told television channels. It was not immediately clear what prompted the militants to free them.

After the children left the premises, security forces exchanged heavy gunfire with the militants.

They used mortars to target the Taliban militants in the school and a nearby market. Shopkeepers in the bazar closed their establishments and fled the area.

Mohmand agency has been tense over the past few days due to a major anti-militancy operation being conducted by the security forces in adjoining Bajaur tribal agency.