KOHAT, March 10: The local police have asked all cellular phone companies operating in the area to suspend their service between 5pm and 10pm daily in view of the increased incidents of kidnappings for ransom, it has been reliably learnt.

During the past one month 21 people were kidnapped from different parts of the cities. Some of them have been released, but only after paying huge ransom to the tribesmen from Orakzai Agency and Darra Adam Khel.

The orders were issued by Deputy Inspector General of Kohat range (Kohat, Hangu and Karak districts), Waseem Afzal immediately after taking the charge of his new assignment on Saturday.

Similarly, the political authorities of Orakzai agency and Darra Adam Khel have banned public call offices in the areas which were allegedly being used by kidnappers.

The political agent of Orakzai Agency has warned the tribesmen that anyone found operating VHF public call offices would be dealt with an iron hand.

The PCOs in Kohat were also under strict surveillance.