KHARTOUM, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government announced on Saturday a curfew in Khartoum only minutes after explosions and gun shots were heard in Omdurman area in northwestern Khartoum.

    The Sudanese Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement that the curfew was imposed in Khartoum from 5:00 p.m. (1400 GMT) until 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT).

    Heavy explosions and gun shots were heard in Omdurman area, which is the north gate of the Sudanese government leading to the restive western Sudanese region of Darfur.

    Large crowds of armed soldiers and policemen have appeared on the main roads in Khartoum, and the bridges on the Nile River between central Khartoum and Omdurman has been closed.

    Since Thursday, the Sudanese government has repeatedly warned that rebels coming from Darfur were plotting to infiltrate the capital in order to carry out sabotage activities and arouse panic among the residents.