PESHAWAR, Sept 2: Owing to security threats, Eidul Fitr prayers were not offered in many mosques and Eidgah grounds in parts of the provincial metropolis.

People living in the suburban areas, particularly in Adezai, Badbher, faced serious problems as they had to make security arrangements by themselves.

Talking to this correspondent, Adezai Qaumi Lashkar leader Fazal Malik said that keeping in view the volatile security situation many people avoided offering Eid prayers in the open grounds and even mosques in some areas also remained closed on the day.

The people, he said, had gathered in some big mosques where they offered prayers under tight security arrangements by the volunteers.

Mr Malik said that there were reports about possible suicide attacks and that was why people did not take the risk to come to the open grounds.

"We offered Eid prayer in our hujra (guesthouse) and did not go to the mosque," he said.

Another leader Dilawar Khan said that all the pathways and roads were closed and volunteers deployed at the entry points to check movement of the suspected people. The main mosque located at the Adezai Bazaar Chowk, he said, also remained closed on the Eid day because of the security threats.

Similarly, Eid prayers in the main mosques of Peshawar cantonment and city areas were offered under tight security.However, there were no official security arrangements for the mosques located away from the bazaars and markets. The celebration of Eid on two different days also caused problems for the police as in many areas prayers were offered on both the days (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Meanwhile, three people were killed in different incidents during Eidul Fitr days here.

According to police, a Frontier Constabulary constable was killed after he was hit by a stray bullet at his residence at Mushtarzai village in the suburban Badbher area of Peshawar late on Tuesday night when people resorted to aerial firing to celebrate sighting of moon.

A police official said that constable Arshad Ameen of Mushtarzai village, who had come home on leave for Eid, sustained bullet injury. He said that the constable was taken to Lady Reading Hospital, but he did not survive.

Asked about implementation of the directives of authorities against aerial firing, the official said that it was impossible to stop the menace, as police could not guard every house in all the localities.

People in different localities started aerial firing following the announcement of Eid on Tuesday evening without thinking that bullets from the aerial firing could take life of anyone.

The other incident took place at Sarband, Bara Road, where a van driver Shaukat was killed and his relative Hamaad seriously injured when a group of armed men attacked them on the main road.

"They were taken to Lady Reading Hospital where Mr Shaukat succumbed to his wounds while Mr Hamaad is still under treatment," the official said.

According to police, the victims had an old enmity and several people, including Said Nawaz, Hazrat Gul, Ahmed Nawaz, were charged in the FIR. The deceased belonged to Alam Gudar area.

In another case, a youth Khairullah Jan of Gulozo allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol inside a room of his house.

Sources said that the family was facing financial problems.