Pakistan inmates stage jail riot

Inmates of a jail in the central Pakistani city of Sargodha have staged a riot, taking six prison officers hostage, police say.

Ten people were taken to hospital, some with gunshot wounds, after police opened fire to try to restore order.

About 40 prisoners had gathered outside the prison mosque after Friday prayers and took possession of a barracks.

The motive for the riot is unclear but many prisons in Pakistan are overcrowded and lack facilities.

Talks

Police, who have cordoned off the prison, say an assistant superintendent and five wardens are being held captive.

Residents living around the jail, which houses about 2,000 prisoners, say tear gas shells have been fired by police to disperse rioters.

A district administration official told the BBC that a police superintendent was holding talks with some of the rioters.

The rioters are also said to be using the mosque loudspeaker to appeal to their fellow prisoners to join the revolt.