In a big blow to the Pakistani security agencies, more than 300 prisoners escaped from a jail in northwest Pakistan early today after it was attacked by militants.
The militants attacked the prison with rockets and grenades to facilitate the escape of the prisoners. Officials said some of the prisoners who escaped from the jail in the town of Bannu were militants.
Pakistan's Taliban movement, which has close links to al-Qaeda, said its fighters mounted the assault, which triggered clashes.
The claim has not been verified yet.