GHALANAI, Nov 13: Security forces tightened curfew and sealed all roads leading to and from Mohmand tribal region on Thursday as troops intermittently shelled militants’ hideouts amid reports that the Taliban were regrouping in the volatile area.

Officials said that a large number of militants had converged on Mohmand after suffering heavy loses in Bajaur and were preparing for a showdown with security forces.

A curfew was clamped on the area last month and tension prevailed in the area. Local people have been directed to stay indoors and avoid using unfrequented routes.

Banks, educational institutions and government offices have been closed since last month and residents complained that continuous curfew had caused shortage of food items and other essential commodities.

Personnel of the Frontier Corps and Levies were patrolling all roads in and around Ghalanai town while troops have been deployed in areas, separating Mohmand from settled areas of the province. Law-enforcement agencies have also set up checkpoints on main roads.

The main highway linking Mohmand with Peshawar and Bajaur has been closed to traffic and internally displaced people could not move out from the area.

Sources said that troops fired artillery shells and targeted militants’ positions in different areas. No casualty was reported.

Security forces shot dead a person, said to be blind, deaf and dumb, in Subhan Khwar area during curfew. He was buried in Yaka Ghund on Thursday.

Anwarullah Khan adds from Khar: Security forces arrested 25 Afghan nationals from different areas of Bajaur on Thursday.

The three-day deadline for Afghans to leave Bajaur expired on Wednesday. A notification recently warned local they risked confiscation if they purchased property from Afghans.

The administration had given a deadline in September to all Afghans to leave the area or face deportation, but they ignored the order. Sources said that detained Afghans would be deported.