Russian commandos storm besieged school; 5 militants killed

Military commandos on Friday stormed and killed five terrorists holed up in a school in the southern Russian city of Beslan, holding over 300 pupils and adults hostage since Wednesday.

Several explosions and gunfire were heard and over 30 hostages, including some children covered in blood, escaped from the building. Russian wire services reported that the terrorists fired at the fleeing hostages.

Helicopters hovered over the building as Special Forces personnel stormed the school. The commandos have taken over the building even as an unspecified number of terrorists tried to break through the security cordon, Russian media reported.

Two female terrorists reportedly held on to a few children while trying to escape.

According to NTV network, which was showing live pictures, most children trapped in the gymnasium were safe but some, who tried to escape were injured after being caught in the crossfire.

The crisis began on Wednesday when some well-armed men and women took control of the school in Beslan town in North Ossentia. They refused offers of food and water for the hostages and warned security personnel not to launch any offensive.

Negotiations began and everyone, including President Vladimir Putin, said force would not be used to end the standoff.

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However, the talks broke down last night. Authorities hoped that they would be resumed Friday morning. What transpired since then is not clear but Russian news agencies reported three explosions within a few minutes of each other on Friday afternoon. A part of the roof of the school collapsed.

This was followed by security personnel, who had surrounded the building, launching an offensive. Indiscriminate gunfire was heard outside the school.