PESHAWAR: The Pakistani military freed 80 students and teachers who had been kidnapped the previous day by Taliban militants, military and government officials said.

It said the hostages, 71 students and nine teaching staff, had been freed "after a fierce fight" in the pre-dawn hours.

"All have been released," a military spokesman said. Their release was confirmed by Sardar Abbas Rind, chief of the administration in the northwestern town of Bannu.