Fearing attacks from suspected pro-Taliban militants, owners of shops dealing in cellular phones in NWFP's Bajuar Agency announced a ban on the "un-Islamic practice" of downloading and storing ring-tones, and announced a Rs 10,000 fine for violators.

Two months ago, unknown militants issued threatening letters to shop owners in the market in Inayat Kalay, warning them to shut down their "un-Islamic businesses" or face bomb attacks.

Militants bombed a cellular phone market a few days ago in Inayat Kalay, around seven kilometres from Khar. The market housed 30 shops dealing in cellular phones.

Cellular phone shop owners in Bajaur took the decision to ban downloading and storing ring-tones at a meeting on Tuesday held in Khar, the agency headquarters, the Daily Times reported.

Khar, the main town in Bajaur tribal district, is a known al-Qaeda and Taliban hideout.

The self-declared standard-bearers of Islam have also rampaged through the region bombing girls schools, threatening female teachers and even beheading women they charged with prostitution.

They have burned down music and CD shops and threatened barbers with violence if they trimmed beards. In some areas, they have even set up their own police forces.