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Militants attack prison in NW Pakistan Militants attack prison in NW Pakistan
(35 minutes later)
Taliban militants wearing police uniform have launched an assault on a prison in Pakistan, with an official saying more than 240 prisoners escaped. Taliban militants have launched an assault on a prison in Pakistan, with an official saying more than 240 prisoners escaped.
The attack on the jail in the north-western town of Dera Ismail Khan began with several explosions at around midnight on Monday.The attack on the jail in the north-western town of Dera Ismail Khan began with several explosions at around midnight on Monday.
Gunmen then opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns, police chief Sohail Khalid said.Gunmen then opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns, police chief Sohail Khalid said.
The prison houses hundreds of Taliban and militants from banned groups.The prison houses hundreds of Taliban and militants from banned groups.
The town's civil commissioner Mushtaq Jadoon said that more than 240 prisoners had escaped, six of whom were later re-arrested by police. Some of the attackers were dressed in police uniform.
At least 25 of the prisoners were militant fighters, Mr Jadoon said. Twelve people were reported killed in the attack, with officials saying six of the dead were police officers.
The town's civil commissioner Mushtaq Jadoon said that 243 prisoners had escaped, 14 of whom were later re-arrested by police.
Thirty of the prisoners were hardened militants, Mr Jadoon said.
"The Taliban have loudspeakers and they are calling the names of their friends," he said."The Taliban have loudspeakers and they are calling the names of their friends," he said.
He told the Pakistani ARY TV channel that militants had planted dozens of explosive devices in the jail and that 14 of them had so far been defused.He told the Pakistani ARY TV channel that militants had planted dozens of explosive devices in the jail and that 14 of them had so far been defused.
A curfew was imposed in the town and operations are continuing to clear the militants from the prison.A curfew was imposed in the town and operations are continuing to clear the militants from the prison.
Attack 'threats'Attack 'threats'
A local resident told the agency that the initial blast was so loud that "it rattled every house in the neighbourhood".A local resident told the agency that the initial blast was so loud that "it rattled every house in the neighbourhood".
The attackers were chanting "God is great" and "Long live the Taliban", officials said.The attackers were chanting "God is great" and "Long live the Taliban", officials said.
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid has claimed responsibility for the attack. He said around 300 prisoners had been freed.Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid has claimed responsibility for the attack. He said around 300 prisoners had been freed.
Officials said that authorities had been aware of a threat to attack the prison in recent weeks.Officials said that authorities had been aware of a threat to attack the prison in recent weeks.
Hundreds of inmates were freed in an assault on a prison in Bannu in northern Pakistan in April last year.Hundreds of inmates were freed in an assault on a prison in Bannu in northern Pakistan in April last year.
Correspondents say the authorities will face questions as the why militants were able to stage a virtually identical attack in Dera Ismail Khan.
The attack appears to be part of a Taliban strategy to break jails instead of negotiating prisoner releases with government, the BBC's Ilyas Khan reports from Islamabad.
Last month, police claimed they arrested some Taliban operatives who were planning to attack a jail in the southern port city of Karachi, our correspondent adds.
Dera Ismail Khan is the main city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, in Pakistan's restive, mountainous tribal region.Dera Ismail Khan is the main city in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, in Pakistan's restive, mountainous tribal region.
Monday night's violence came hours before Pakistani politicians are expected to choose the country's new president.Monday night's violence came hours before Pakistani politicians are expected to choose the country's new president.
The replacement for Asif Ali Zardari will be elected on Tuesday by the members of both houses of parliament and the four provincial assemblies.The replacement for Asif Ali Zardari will be elected on Tuesday by the members of both houses of parliament and the four provincial assemblies.