KOHAT, Jan 6 The authorities put the Hangu district under an indefinite curfew on Tuesday night and banned Muharram processions.

The Hangu district is among the areas declared 'most sensitive' by the federal and provincial governments for Muharram and its security has been handed over to the army.

The army has also banned the 9th and 10th Muharram processions and the mourners have been asked to remain inside imambargahs to avoid any untoward incident.

Hangu District Police Officer Sajjad Khan, while confirming the news, told Dawn that the authorities concerned had issued shoot at sight orders to paramilitary forces, so the question of taking out Muharram processions did not arise.

Answering a question, he said the curfew had been imposed by the government and it was irrelevant whether the decision had been taken by the army or the civil administration. He said the decision was aimed at protecting the life and property of the people of the area.