UPDATE: Gunmen hold over 500 students hostage in Pakistan

UPDATE 15.06: At least 100 people, 80 of them children, have been killed in a Taliban assault on an army-run school in Peshawar, Pakistani officials say.

Five or six militants wearing security uniforms entered the school, officials said. Gunfire and explosions were heard as security forces surrounded the area.

Six terrorists of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan stormed Peshawar’s Army Public School & College on Tuesday morning. Four students have been killed in the attack and nearly 19 others including teachers have suffered injuries, said local media reports. About 500 students and teachers are believed to have been taken hostage by the terrorists.

The terror group claimed that all the terrorists are on a suicide mission. Pakistani security forces have cordoned off the school and gunbattle is on with the terrorists.

Eyewitnesses say the armed gunmen entered classes and started firing indiscriminately. According to reports, security personnel have been able to rescue four children. 

“Our suicide bombers have entered the school, they have instructions not to harm the children, but to target the army personnel,” Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani told Reuters.

A Reuters journalist at the scene could hear heavy gunfire from inside the school as soldiers surrounded it. Reports say terrorists first torched a vehicle and then entered the school in army uniforms. They reportedly entered from a graveyard near the school’s back gate. As of now, the firing has stopped, according to reports.

Military officials said at least eight armed men had entered the military-run Army Public School. About 500 students and teachers were believed to be inside. Although teachers says that nearly 1500 students could be inside the school. Peshawar has been the target of frequent militant attacks in the past. 

- Agencies