PESHAWAR, Nov 26: Police claimed to have arrested 33 suspected persons during search operation in the limits of Peshtakhara police station and recovered weapons from their possession.

A police official said that the search operation was launched after they got information that militants had taken shelter in the area.

However, Cantonment Circle Superintendent of Police Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed told Dawn that police had recovered four small machine guns, two pistols and one 7mm rifle from the accused.

He said that police had plugged all the entry and exit points of the area and deployed additional force to check movement of suspected persons. “We are fully alert and even checking the pedestrians on basis of doubt,” he said.Meanwhile, police carried out a flag march on different roads in the most sensitive areas of Peshawar.

District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmed and SSP Tahir Ayub were also present on the occasion. They met the traders’ representatives to ascertain their problems.

They reviewed preparations for Muharram processions and directed the officials concerned to remove all hurdles from the procession routes. The district administration has also banned wearing blankets during Muharram. A statement issued from DCO office said that ban on wearing the blanket will remain imposed from Nov 27 till the end of Ashura.

The administration has also directed all the hoteliers to stop accommodating guests with immediate effect till end of the Ashura otherwise strict action would be taken against those failed to obey the orders.

It was stated that all the hotels, inns and restaurants would remained closed during Muharram in the larger interests of people. The decision was taken to stop entry of suspected people and terrorists in the area, the statement said.