Pakistan school siege ends without bloodshed

Militants have released about 250 schoolchildren and teachers who were taken hostage at a school in northwestern Pakistan.

According to the AP news agency, the drama started when militants kidnapped a health official.  Police intervened, and following a gunfight the health worker was released.

The retreating abductors stormed a school, where they reportedly demanded safe passage in return for freeing the students and their teachers.

The gunmen later surrendered to tribal elders.