PARACHINAR: The local administration imposed a curfew for an indefinite period in Sadda, the tehsil headquarters of Lower Kurram tribal region, on Wednesday.

An official said main roads linking the town with Central Kurram and other areas had been sealed. Apparently the action had been taken because of reports that militants fleeing South Waziristan were moving towards Lower and Central Kurram and in some areas they had enforced their own brand of Sharia.

Paramilitary forces and Levies Force have set up at least eight checkpoints around Sadda bazaar. Local people said that security forces rushed from Parachinar and besieged the area early in the morning.

Announcements were made on loudspeakers asking people to leave the town.

Sources said that militants wounded in clashes in South Waziristan were being brought to private clinics in Kurram. They were using unfrequented routes because the main Thall-Parachinar Road had remained closed for about two years.

It is learnt that paramilitary forces deployed in Sadda and suburbs on Tuesday faced resistance from militants.

Meanwhile, tribal elders in Parachinar have announced a ban on display of arms and vowed to support the action taken by the government to restore peace in the area.