PESHAWAR, Feb 21: Yaum-i-Ashura, the 10th of Muharramul Harram marking the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) , and his relatives and companions at Karbala in 680 AD, was observed peacefully and over a dozen small and big Alm and Zuljinah processions were taken out in the city amid tight security on Sunday.

The Zuljinah processions were taken out from Sain Gulab Shah Imambargah, Imambargah Haidria and Imambargah Bibi Sahiba. At least 12 small Alm processions were also taken out from various Imambargahs which paraded through their traditional routes and culminated at their starting points.

The participants of the processions were beating their chests and flagellating with knives to express their feelings of mourning at the tragic incident of the Muslim history. Noha Khawan recited Nohas and Salams eulogising and narrating details of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (As).

Traffic on the main GT road was also diverted for orderly passing out of the procession. Large contingents of police and FC personnel escorted the mourning processions. The provincial administration had made elaborate security arrangements in the provincial metropolis to cope with any untoward incident and to maintain peace during Muharram.

All sensitive areas in Peshawar, particularly Kohati gate and Qissa Khawani Bazar were sealed to ensure smooth passage of Aashura processions. Members of law enforcement agencies were put on high alert in all sensitive areas of Peshawar, Hangu, Tank, D.I. Khan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Havellian and Haripur to ensure law & order.

As an additional measure, public sector hospitals, Wapda and Sui Gas departments were put on high alert while emergency control room were set up at district, divisional and provincial levels to monitor the situation. Rooftops and hilltops in sensitive areas like Hangu, had been taken over by the personnel of law-enforcement agencies in the province. -APP