Islamabad: Jailed Taliban militants today briefly took six prison officials hostage and exchanged fire with security personnel in northwestern Pakistan.

Some 30 to 40 Taliban militants being held in the jail at Timergara in Dir district of the North West Frontier Province briefly held six officials, including the prison superintendent, Dawn News channel reported. The officials were released after authorities began negotiations with the militants.

The Taliban are armed with pistols and grenades and exchanged fire with security forces. There were no casualties in the shootout, the channel reported. The army and police cordoned off the area and roads leading to the jail were blocked.

A prisoner told Dawn News that the Taliban had taken hostages to protest against the behaviour of the prison officials.

The jailed Taliban militants hail from the restive Swat valley and nearby areas.

The Pakistan Army has launched a crackdown against the Taliban in Swat that has resulted in the killing of hundreds of militants.

Source : PTI