LANDI KOTAL, Nov 7: Security forces on Wednesday arrested two suspected militants and demolished three hideouts of a banned armed group in Bar Qambarkhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency, sources said.

They said that a heavy contingent of security forces plugged all entry and exit routes to Bar Qambarkhel area before launching a search operation. An indefinite curfew was also imposed in the area, compelling the residents to remain inside their homes.

Security forces took over Pakka Tarrha, Hakim Shah and Spin Dhand bases of Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkir, the banned armed group, and later destroyed those with explosives. They arrested Haji Wajid Khan and Niaz Amin on suspension of having links with the banned group.

Sources said that security forces also bulldozed the houses of Haji Namdar, the late founder of the banned group, and his close associate Haji Sher Gul in two separate localities.

Raids were also conducted to apprehend some of the wanted activists of the banned group. However, according to sources, most of the sympathisers of the group and wanted men had fled the area long ago. They had reportedly crossed over to Afghanistan.

A source close to the group said that they had no intention to resist the security forces so they vacated the area long ago.

Sources said that a group of Bar Qambarkhel elders was still engaged in negotiations with the local political administration to lift the siege of their area. However, these reports could not be confirmed.