LAHORE, Jan 7: The Youm-i-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, will be observed on Thursday (today) with religious solemnity amid tight security to prevent any untoward incident.

The Lahore administration claims to have taken extra security measures in view of the ongoing wave of terrorism and the threats posed by neighbouring countries, which figured prominently in the warnings issued to the government by the intelligence agencies fearing possible terrorist strike at the Muharram gatherings.

The police, Rangers and army jawans kept patrolling the area while personnel of special forces have taken positions on the rooftops of the buildings along the Zuljinnah route to keep an eye on miscreants. The procession route has been closed for the general public and pedestrians, while law-enforcement agencies have blocked the roads leading to the main route.

Residents of the localities falling en route were being thoroughly searched before being allowed to reach their houses and shops. Besides, special security gates and scanners have been placed at the entrances of Imambargahs for searching the participants. The residents of the buildings along the route have been barred from opening their windows and coming to roofs, but women and children have been allowed to watch the procession from windows.

The Data Town administration has put up extra lights along the route to brighten the area to facilitate the security personnel in maintaining law and order during night. Town nazims and other office-bearers also kept inspecting the situation at different points of the route to ensure peace.

Despite the incidents of violence in Dera Ismail Khan and Balochistan, the faithfuls are ready to keep up the traditional religious devotion to commemorate the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala in 61 AH, some 14 centuries ago.

On Wednesday, Muharram 9, various Zuljinnah, Alam and Tazia processions were taken out from different parts of the provincial metropolis. Prominent among them were those taken out from Islampura, Wassanpura, Shadman, Green Town, Mughalpura and Ferozepur Road as the participants marched through their traditional routes before terminating at their destinations peacefully.

The main Zuljinnah procession was taken out from Nisar Haveli inside Mochi gate late Wednesday night amid strict security, and began its journey to Karbala Gamay Shah through its traditional route.

The route included Mohallah Chehel Bibian, Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Lakkar Mandi, Imambargah Mehdi Shah, Mobarak Haveli, Chowk Nawab Sahab, Koucha Qazi Khan, Imambargah Maulvi Feroze Ali, Koucha Miskinan, Mohallah Pir Gilanian, Imambargah Rajab Ali Shah, Chohata Mufti Baqar, Chowk Purani Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sunehri Masjid, Dabbi Bazaar, Suha Bazaar, Gumti Bazaar, Said Mitha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar-i-Hakiman, Unchi Masjid and Bhaati chowk.

Earlier, a Majlis-i-Aza was held inside the Imambargah which was led by renowned zakir, Shajar Hussain Shajar. A large number of chest-beating and noha-reciting mourners participated in the majlis and later joined the procession. They flagellated themselves with chained knives at several points on the route.

A large number of ‘sabeels’ of juices, milk and water were set up along the route to facilitate the mourners. Besides, a number of banners calling for sectarian unity were erected by political and social workers and the City District Government of Lahore.