PESHAWAR: Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain was observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with religious fervour amid tight security on Tuesday.

In this connection, three processions were taken out in the provincial metropolis from Imambargahs Kocha Risaldar, Akhunabad and Markazi Shia Mosque Qissa Khwani.

The mourners paid tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions who accompanied him in Karbala and sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam.

The mourning processions passed through their traditional routes, including Qissa Khwani, Daalgaran, Pipal Mandi, Cherikobaan, Chowk Nasir Khan, Kochi Bazaar and Chowk Shahbaz, and culminated at their respective Imambargahs.

The capital city police had made strict security arrangements for the processions. Snipers were also deployed on buildings adjacent to Imambargahs to deal with any untoward incident.

SSP operations Yasir Afridi earlier visited the sites and directed the police personnel to remain vigilant during mourning processions, which were also monitored through CCTV cameras.

Meanwhile, more than 300 mourning processions were held in Parachinar, Kurram district.

The main procession was taken out after the Zuhr prayers, which was attended by thousands of mourners. The mourners paid tribute to the martyrs of Karbala by thumping their chests.

The Pak-Afghan border was closed and mobile phone service kept suspended as part of the security arrangements throughout the district.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2021