11 cops taken hostage in Pakistan during violent anti-France protests, released later

Eleven Pakistani police officers taken hostage by supporters of a radical Islamist group as part of their campaign to get the French ambassador expelled have been released. The officers were grabbed as hostages Sunday by supporters of the TLP during violent protests in Lahore.

Eleven Pakistani police officers seized by supporters of a radical Islamist group as part of their campaign to get the French ambassador expelled have been released, officials said Monday. The officers were grabbed as hostages Sunday by supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) during violent protests in Lahore. Video circulating on social media -- and confirmed unofficially by police as genuine -- showed some of them bloodied and bruised, with bandages around their heads.