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Pakistani pupils 'held hostage' Pakistani pupils 'held hostage'
(41 minutes later)
A group of armed men are holding children and teachers hostage in a school near the Pakistani district of North Waziristan. A group of armed men are holding children and teachers hostage in north-west Pakistan.
Officials told the BBC that up to 250 children were inside the school. Unconfirmed reports say most of them have been released. Officials told the BBC that up to 250 children were inside the school in the district of Bannu in North West Frontier Province.
It is not clear whether or not the men are Islamist militants. At least five armed men took shelter in the school after a confrontation with local police.
They took shelter in the school in Bannu district after a confrontation with local police. Police have surrounded the school. Tribal elders are trying to negotiate the release of the hostages.
Police then surrounded the school. Tribal elders have been involved in negotiations to free those still being held. Refused
The armed men are demanding a safe passage. "The police and army have surrounded the school on all sides", Dar Ali Khattak, Bannu's district police chief told the BBC Urdu service.
Bannu police told BBC that a group of armed men kidnapped a health department official from the neighbouring district of Karak on Monday. Unconfirmed reports had said that a large number of children had been released, but a BBC reporter at the scene says there is no evidence of this.
They were then challenged by police near Bannu but refused to stop at a police check post and went on to take over the school. Police say the men had kidnapped a health department official from the neighbouring district of Karak on Monday.
They were then challenged by police but refused to stop at a police check post and went on to take over the school in an area called Domial, some 15 km north of Bannu town, the main town in the district.
Parents and relatives of the children have gathered outside the school.Parents and relatives of the children have gathered outside the school.
Militants control large areas of North and South Waziristan. In recent months they have been increasingly active in neighbouring areas.
At least five militants are said to be involved in the taking of the hostages.
Parents have been gathering outside the school
Security in and around Bannu has been a growing problem.Security in and around Bannu has been a growing problem.
Last October at least 15 people were killed in Bannu by a suicide bomber dressed in a burka. Pro-Taleban militants control large areas of neighbouring North and South Waziristan. In recent months they have been increasingly active in Bannu district.
Last October at least 15 people were killed in Bannu town by a suicide bomber dressed in a burka.
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