Srinagar, Jul 5: Youm-e-Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), will be observed across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday with deep mourning, religious fervour, and solemn processions.

The occasion marks the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and symbolises the ultimate sacrifice made by Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 companions in the historic Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.

According to the Islamic Hijri calendar, the tragic incident occurred 1385 years ago, and 1342 years ago in the Gregorian calendar.

Muharram 2025 began on June 27, making July 6 the Day of Ashura in 2025, which falls on Sunday.

Given the large gatherings and significance of the day, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure the peaceful observance of the day.

Officials said that security forces would be deployed across sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.

“Peaceful conduct of the religious processions is our priority. We are in close coordination with religious leaders and community members,” said a senior official of the J&K administration.

Thousands of mourners, known as Azadars, are expected to participate in the ‘Alam’ and ‘Zuljanah’ processions that will be organised in almost all districts of Kashmir and Ladakh.

The key locations for the processions include Srinagar (downtown areas like Mohalla Syed Afzal, Alamgari Bazar, Zadibal), Budgam (from Gazi Manzil to Imambargah Yousufabad, Magam, Iskinderpora Beerwah, Sonpah, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, and Kulgam and remote areas of Ladakh, including Turtuk, Partappora, and Chushut.

Prominent areas in Kashmir, such as Baarji Harwan, Bemina, Mirgund, Hanjiveera, Balhama, Panear, Tral, Devsar Kulgam, Sofipora Pahalgam, Chattergul, Achabal, Dangerpora, and Sonawari will also witness organised processions.

The main Ashura procession in Srinagar will commence from Alipora Bota Kadal, Lal Bazaar, and culminate at Zadibal, a historic Imambara in the old city.

Previously, the traditional route began from Abi Guzar near Lal Chowk, passed through Basant Bagh, Habba Kadal, Nalamar, and ended at Zadibal, but was discontinued by the administration over fears of unrest.

The Traffic Police Department has issued a comprehensive advisory given the processions to avoid congestion and ensure smooth vehicular movement across the city.

Traffic towards Zadibal will be diverted at Firdous Cinema, Mill Stop, Lal Bazar, Bota Kadal, and Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi.

Vehicles from Lal Chowk to Soura (and vice versa) have been asked to take Dr Ali Jan Road.

Traffic from Zakura to Lal Chowk should use Foreshore Road.

Vehicles coming from Gojwara to Zadibal will be diverted via Sazgaripora to Dr Ali Jan Road.

The movement from Rainawari to Badamwari will be redirected at Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi to Kathi Darwaza.

Motorists in Lal Bazar are advised to use the Kanitar-Hazratbal-Foreshore Road.

The advisory also urges people to avoid unnecessary travel towards procession routes to minimise inconvenience.

The first 10 days of Muharram, particularly the Day of Ashura, hold immense religious significance, especially for the Shia community.

It is a time of reflection, mourning, and recommitment to the values of justice, sacrifice, and truth exemplified by Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers.

Religious scholars and clerics will address mourners, recounting the events of Karbala and emphasising the moral lessons of courage and resistance against tyranny.

Despite the sombre nature of the day, the peaceful conduct of processions in recent years, alongside administrative cooperation, signals a renewed atmosphere of trust and coordination between the community and the authorities.

The government has urged the public to maintain peace and harmony while observing the sanctity of the occasion.

Bandipora, Jul 5: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday criticised the ruling National Conference (NC) for failing to fulfil promises made to people during assembly elections.

Bukhari was talking to media persons on the sidelines of Pani Party workers’ one day convention here. “If we talk about the promises made by the National Conference during elections, I do not think they have even started to work on them,” he said.

Flanked by Apni Party leaders Imtiyaz Parry and Syed Shafat Kazmi, district president Bandipora, Bukhari said that for the last eight to nine months, people are still waiting for those promises to materialise. He also requested the NC government to declare a holiday on July 13 (Martyrs’ Day), calling it a “very important day” in Kashmir’s history.“Do they require permission from Delhi even for this,” he said.

Srinagar, July 05: Jammu and Kashmir Police in north Kashmir’s Baramulla arrested three drug peddlers and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

A police spokesperson said that a police team headed by SHO Police Station Tangmarg at a checkpoint established at Tangmarg intercepted a Vehicle (Maruti van) with 02 persons onboard.  During the search, 84 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from their possession. They have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Parray, son of Mohd Sultan Parray, resident of Druroo; and Mohd Shafi Lone, son of Gh Mohiuddin Lone, resident of Gund Maqsood. Moreover, another drug peddler namely Riyaz Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, resident of Ratnipora was apprehended alongwith 86 grams of charas-like substance. All the accused persons have been arrested and a vehicle used in the commission of crime was also seized.

Accordingly, cases under relevant section of law have been registered and investigation has been initiated. Further investigation is underway to trace other individuals involved in the drug trade, spokesperson said.

Anantnag, Jul 05: At least seven people, including two CRPF personnel and five civilians, were injured in yet another stray dog attack in South Kashmir’s Bijbehara town on Saturday.

The incident took place in the Jablipora area of Bijbehara, with additional bite cases reported from adjoining localities such as Arwani, Waghama, Sri Gufwara, and Marhama.

Medical Superintendent of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bijbehara, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, confirmed the injuries, stating, “We received two CRPF jawans and five civilians with dog bites today. Unfortunately, such cases have become a daily routine here in Bijbehara.”

The repeated incidents have triggered anger and fear among locals, who have long demanded that authorities take urgent steps to curb the stray dog menace.

Locals allege that poor waste management and lack of sterilization drives are key contributors to the problem, which continues to put lives at risk. [KNT]