Militants on Thursday took about 300 school children hostage in northwestern Pakistan, and the students were freed by local people later, state television reported.

Reports said that three militants took control of a school in Upper Dir district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and took hostage the students.

After fierce cross-firing between local people and militants, two militants blew themselves up and the other one ran away.

All the students are safe, reports said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2008)