GHALANAI/LANDI KOTAL: The Haleemzai tribesmen have again formed an armed lashkar, after a break of three years, to take action against militants in their area in Mohmand tribal region.

The chief of Haleemzai Peace Committee, Malik Mohammad Ali, said here on Tuesday that armed volunteers would take positions on hilltops to check movement of anti-state elements. He said that all the 35 wanted men would be handed over to the administration soon.

The volunteers of the peace committee made announcements through loudspeakers and asked the wanted tribesmen to surrender to the government within a week otherwise they would take action against them.

Assistant Political Agent Rasool Khan, when contacted, said that more than 100 tribesmen had joined the lashkar as members.

Meanwhile, security forces conducted a search operation in Samghakhi area of Khwezai and arrested seven suspected persons.

In Khyber Agency, the political administration imposed night curfew in Shalobar area of Bara tehsil on Tuesday.

Sources said that the action was taken to restrict the movement of militants and minimise losses to innocent civilians. Security forces have recently established a number of checkposts in Shalobar area, considered a stronghold of militants in the past.

A security official said that no one would be allowed to violate the curfew and every effort would be made to protect the lives of law abiding citizens.