Seeking Release Of Pak Terrorist, Armed Man Takes Hostages At United States Synagogue

Colleyville: Hostage negotiators were seen locked in a standoff at a Texas synagogue on Saturday in which a man reportedly sought the release of a convicted Pakistani terrorist and had taken several captives, police and media were quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

The police in Colleyville, Texas, said one of the hostages had been set free around 5:00 pm (2300 GMT) “uninjured” more than eight hours into the crisis, but still an unconfirmed number of captives were in the synagogue.

“This man will be reunited with his family as soon as possible and he does not require medical attention,” AFP said quoting a police statement.

The details are still unclear, but reports said the synagogue’s rabbi and at least two others were being held. The standoff sparked concern from Jewish organisations around the United States, and the Israeli government as well.

According to the police, they were alerted to an emergency at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville — some 25 miles (40 kilometres) west of Dallas — on Saturday morning.

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