( dpa ) - Islamic militants released dozens of school children in North-West Frontier Province after holding them hostage for several hours Monday, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said.
The Pakistani government gave them safe passage to the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
"These children have been release and it has been confirmed just now," said Musharraf during a joint press briefing with the British Prime Minister Gordan Brown in London.
"These were the extremists who were being chased and took refuge in the school. But they really did not go for taking children hostage," he said.
"It was accidental that they entered the school to hide themselves but in the process they took the students hostage. But finally the issue has been resolved peacefully and the children are free," Musharraf said.