Moscow: Russian commandos today (Sep 3, 2004) stormed a school building to end the three-day hostage drama with captives making a daring escape amid crossfire and explosions during which at least five terrorists and seven hostages, including children, were killed and over 300 people injured.

Thirteen militants, including some disguised as civilians, escaped from the school in Beslan city of the Southern Russian republic of North Ossetia. Some of them were holed up in a nearby building, which was surrounded by troops.

After nearly two hours of operation, the commandos took control of the entire school complex, where about 400 students, teachers and parents had been held hostage by suspected Chechen rebels since Wednesday (Sep 1, 2004).

All the hostages have been evacuated, Russian media reported, saying that 310 people, mostly children, were injured. Itar-Tass said 158 children have been taken to hospitals.

The commandos stormed the building after about 30 children and women made a daring escape as explosions and gunfire were heard in the area. Some of the children were seen covered in blood.

Interfax news agency reported that militants fired at the children who ran from the building and that some children might have been taken away by women terrorists.

Security forces had to blow up a wall of the school to help hostages escape. There were also reports that the school's roof had collapsed, possibly from explosives strapped on militants' bodies.