ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Militants took hostage up to 250 Pakistani school children in the northwestern town of Bannu on Monday, the interior minister said.

Police had earlier said about 25 children had been taken hostage after the gunman took refuge in the school following a clash with police.

"There are 200 to 250 children in the school and about seven militants. The provincial government is negotiating with them," Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz told Reuters.

(Reporting by Zeshan Haider; Editing by Robert Birsel)

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