Thousands of mourners took part in 9th Muharram processions in provincial capital, and other parts of the province on Friday. The main ninth Muharram 'Alam-o-Zuljinah' procession was taken out morning from Hussainia hall imambargah on main sadder road Peshawar, under tight security arrangements, which culminated peacefully afternoon at the same place, following passing through its designated routes.
Similarly, procession and majlis also held in other part of provincial capital, D.I.Khan, Parachinar, Hangu, Kohat, to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), a Grandson son of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with other martyrs in the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq in the year 680.
A large number of chest-beating and Noaha reciting mourners participated in the procession and also performed self-flagellation 'Zanjeer zani', Sabeels of water, milk and Nayaz were set up by local organisers at different points for mourners, while a special mobile medical team from Peshawar hospital, DHQ Hospitals and Rescue 1122 provided treatment to the mourners.
A stringent security measures were made to thwart any untoward incident on the occasion. Personals of law enforcement agencies have deployed at entry points, and routes leading to procession closed by barbs wires and tents. Traders in Peshawar especially those of the sealed off area were advised to close their business on Thursday evening for the Muharram 9 and 10 processions.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police had declared Peshawar, Hangu, Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan as the most sensitive districts for Muharram. According to a statement issued by the police, 429 Muharram processions will be taken out in the province, while 940 majalis will take place during the month. The police have identified 129 'trouble spots' on procession routes across the province. The provincial capital has 67 imambargahs from where 121 precessions will be taken out on 9th and 10th of Muharram.
The mourning processions were also monitored by air surveillance. Members of Imamia Students organisation volunteers force were frisked mourners before entering the procession areas, while walks through gates also installed at various points. The control rooms have been set up for strict monitoring through CCTV cameras. However, the mobile service in Peshawar was remained open in the provincial capital.
As many as 7,500 personnel of police were deployed in provincial capital for security of mourning processions, which were taken out various areas of provincial metropolis. The district administration also imposed section 144 to abandon the pilling riding, and completely banned on entry of Afghan refugees in the city areas.
Members of Shia community dressed in black mark the day with mourning rituals and passion plays re-enacting the martyrdom. The mourning also performed self-flagellation by knives and beating their cheats, recalling the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions for the supremacy of Islam. Later, a Majlis was held at various Imambargah where Zakareen highlighted the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and Karbala incident with particular emphasis on the martyrdom of the companions of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and its philosophy. Earlier, Special Assistant to Chief Minister, Mushtaq Ghani also visited the processions areas, and expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements for the mourners.