A group of militants who earlier attacked Pakistan's military HQ have taken a number of security personnel hostage, reports say.
Six soldiers and four militants were killed in the initial attack as gunmen attacked the compound in Rawalpindi.
The military first said that the situation was under control, but two militants were later reported to have escaped.
The attack comes as the army prepares a major operation against the Taliban.
"They are holding some of our soldiers," one official told Reuters news agency.
"It's a hostage situation. They're demanding the release of some of their fellows," another official said.
Area sealed off
Officials said gunmen drove up to the army compound in a white van just before midday local time (0600 GMT).
 | RECENT MILITANT ATTACKS  24 Sept - Seven pro-government tribal elders killed by militants in town of Janikhel, north-western Pakistan 26 Sept - At least 16 people killed in two suicide car bombs, in Peshawar and Bannu 5 Oct - Suicide bomber attacks UN offices in Islamabad killing five 9 Oct - At least 50 killed in suspected suicide bombing in Peshawar  |
They took up positions, fired on the compound and threw hand grenades, security officials said.
Roads to the area were sealed off and helicopters hovered over the compound.
The military reported that the attack had been repelled after a gun battle lasting around 45 minutes.
However, military officials later said that two more militants were still at large, after reports of sporadic gunfire in and around the compound.
The attack follows a series of bombings in north-western Pakistan. On Friday at least 50 died in a blast in Peshawar.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Islamabad, says the latest attack, on one of the most secure areas of the country in the middle of the day, shows a new level of audacity from the militants.
Just a few weeks ago, the Pakistani government said it was winning its fight against the militants, and that the Taliban was in disarray.
But our correspondent says the events of this week will have many questioning those claims.
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