DHAKA: Militants stormed an office of Iraq’s human rights ministry in northeast Baghdad on Thursday and took a number of civil servants hostage.

Iraq security officials said, reports The Straits Times.

The attack was mounted by eight armed men, said police and an interior ministry official.

Security forces sealed off the surrounding area, where several government buildings are located including the main headquarters of the transport ministry.

It was not immediately clear if any casualties had resulted from the militant attack.

BDST: 1607 HRS, JAN 30, 2014