Taliban hostage takers killed in Pakistan

Pakistani defence minister has announced that security forces have retaken a police station that was captured by Islamist militants from the Pakistani Taliban.

A 33 hostage-takers, who seized the centre in the north-western Bannu district on Sunday, have been killed.

According to local media, the Pakistani Taliban have confirmed that they were behind the attack.

Several people, including security officials were inside the police station at the time.

Defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said all the hostages had been freed, while two special forces were killed, and 10 to 15 members of the military injured.

Mr Asif explained to parliament that the 33 militants, who had links to different groups, were being held in a counter-terrorism compound on the site. They took hostages after one militant hit a guard with a brick and took his weapon. The militants then requested safe exit in return for releasing the hostages. Negotiation efforts failed and there was a standoff.

The hostage takers were arguing among themselves and army commandoes took the chance to reclaim the police station at 12.30 local time.

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