MILIANTS CAPTURED COUNTER-TERRORISM CENTER IN PAKISTAN AND TOOK HOSTAGES

Militants belonging to a so far unidentified group have captured a counter-terrorism center in the Bannu region of north-western Pakistan. They took hostages to negotiate with the authorities, writes Reuters with reference to public officials.

During interrogation following their arrest, Bannu police spokesman Muhammad Naseeb said it was not yet clear whether the terrorists attacked with weapons or snatched them from staff inside. He added that after the emergency, the building was surrounded by security forces.

Two other officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the militants wanted to negotiate safe passage to neighboring Afghanistan to the Taliban (banned in Russia).

One of them added that about 15 militants had taken control over the center. They snatched weapons from investigators inside the building and took five or six of them hostage.