KOHAT, Jan 16: A meeting held here on Tuesday discussed security arrangements for Hangu and Kohat — declared sensitive areas by the interior ministry — for Muharram. The civil administration of Kohat requested 740 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary and one wing (150 personnel) of the army to help police in case of any untoward incident. The force will be in addition to police commandos and rider squads, which will accompany mourning processions and guard imambargahs during Muharram.

The army and the Frontier Constabulary would be deployed in Kohat on Jan 20. A flag march has already been held in the two districts as part of security arrangements.

Extra troops will be deployed along the 45-kilometre belt from Kohat up to Kurram Agency.

Last year, troops had been called in to restore law and order after riots broke out following a suicide attack which killed more than 40 people.

Officials said 200 personnel of the Frontier Corps had already been deployed in Hangu and more personnel of the Frontier Constabulary and the army would be called in within two days for guarding Orakzai and Kurram agencies.

The meeting decided to deploy more troops than last year to assist the civil administration because the situation in the two districts is tense.

It also decided to ban use of loudspeakers and entry of clerics in the two district from outside.

The meeting urged Shia elders and peace committees to keep a watch on outsiders and disallow wearing of chadar, Jinnah cap and turban during Muharram processions.

The regional police chief also spoke with leaders of the two sects a few days ago and appealed to them to keep an environment of brotherhood and identify anti-social elements.