PESHAWAR: Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was peacefully observed amid strict security measures in the provincial capital and other parts of the province and Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday.

In the provincial capital, the city police had made elaborate security arrangements for the security of the mourning processions as more than 3,000 policemen were deployed across the city.

The provincial capital also witnessed partial blackout of cellular services as most of the telecom operators had shut down their services earlier in the morning.

The blackout came without formal announcement as the city police and the home department had not announced closure of cellular services.

The first procession in the provincial metropolis was taken out from Imambargah Alamdar Karabala, while the second emerged from the Imambargah Akhund Abad, and the last procession started from Markazi Shia Jamia Masjid Koocha Risaldar.

All the three processions converged on the Qissa Khawni Bazaar in the late afternoon, wherefrom the mourners walked through the Peepal Mandi Chowk, Chirikoban, Chowk Nasir Khan, Koochi Bazaar and Chowk Shahbaz and, in the evening, culminated at their point of origin.

Earlier on Thursday night, a procession was taken out from Imambargah Hussania Hall located in Saddar Bazaar. All the roads leading to the bazaar were closed in the evening and a large number of police personnel were deployed to ensure security of mourners.

Talking to reporters, city police chief Mohammad Tahir Khan said they had ensured foolproof security arrangements for all the processions.

In Kohat, the mourning processions also culminated peacefully after passing through their traditional routes.

Three separate processions of Alam, Zuljinah and Tazia were taken out from Imambargah Rizvia, Syed Habib Imambargah and Qaumi Imambargah in the city which converged at the Milad Chowk.

Over 300 policemen were deployed for the security besides FC which manned the surrounding mountains.

In Hangu, the main procession was taken out from Abbas Alamadar Ziarat which, after passing through its traditional routes, culminated at Qaumi Imambargah Pas Kalay.

The Chehlum was also observed in Kurram Agency amid tight security as mobile services remained suspended and Pak-Afghan border sealed.

Main procession started from Markazi Imambargah Parachinar, which passed through its designated routes. Following afternoon prayers, a Zuljinah procession was taken out which culminated at the Hazara cemetery.

In Gilgit, mourning processions ended peacefully across Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday.

The Karakoram Highway, Gilgit-Skardu Road, and other inter-district roads remained closed during the day to provide foolproof security to the mourners.

The main procession appeared from Anjuman-i-Hussaini Nagar which, after passing through its designated routes, ended at Amphary Gilgit.

Mobile phone jammers had been installed along the procession route to restrict use of cell phones in Gilgit.

Alam and Tazia processions were taken out in various localities of Baltistan division, Hunza-Nagar and Astore districts.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2017