Amid watertight security with cellular phone service suspended, thousands of devotees marched to mark the ninth Muharram rituals and commemorate the heroes of Karbala, here on Monday. Mourners clad in black including children, women and aged began their annual ritual parade from Nomaish Chowrangi, M.A. Jinnah Road to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions martyred in the battle of Karbala. The ninth Muharram procession is also known as a "silent" march which emerges from Nishtar Park and concludes at Imambargah Hussainia Irania in Kharadar at sundown, every year.
Heavy rangers and police contingents packed all roads and streets leading to the procession route. In a bid to foil any terror attempt, police and rangers patrolled the roads and streets with random frisking of passerby, motorbikes and four wheelers at different points in the city. However, the stringent security caused hardships to public in reaching their destinations because of a thin presence of transports and roads blockades.
Nearly all the city wore a deserted look during the day. Besides, the closures of cellular phone services also caused communication problems to public through the day. Mourners marched towards the western parts of the city on M.A. Jinnah Road with waving black flags which were inscribed with religious scriptures remembering the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at the Karbala's historic battle some 14 centuries back.
Devotees from different parts of the metropolis continued joining the main procession at the start of the march. Extraordinary security was placed to protect the mourners during the procession to help them perform their annual rituals. Religious scholars addressed gatherings ahead of the procession beginning, extolling the heroes of Karbala for their sacrifices and fortitude showed at the battle.
Along rangers, police personnel and traffic constables, a large number of scouts also endeavored to streamline the vehicular traffic and facilitate the mourners to guide them towards main procession. Roadside stalls with facilities like medical assistance and potable water for mourners were set up all the way to the procession end in Kharadar.
Ambulances were also held ready to meet any untoward situation during the rituals. No reports of any incident during the procession came for the toughest security shields all the way. The tenth Muharram procession which is also called Ashura Day parade will take place on Tuesday (today), November 4.
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