Srinagar, October 14
Id was today celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir with religious fervour with over one lakh people offering Id prayers at the famous Idgah after a gap of about 20 years.

The issue of offering prayers was surrounded by controversy as both factions of the Hurriyat Conference were at loggerheads over the issue.

Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani on September 27 had announced his plans to offer prayers at Idgah, but later cancelled it after the Awami Action Committee (AAC) of Hurriyat’s moderate faction led-by Mirwaiz joined the fray, saying prayers could be held as the weather had improved over the past few years at the time of Id.

Over 1.5 lakh devouts offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, along the banks of the Dal Lake, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, they said, adding former Chief Ministers Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Farooq Abdullah were among the host of dignitaries who offered 
prayers there.

Id prayers were also held at Pologround in the heart of the city where nearly 40,000 people offered prayers.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad offered prayers at the remote Tangdhar area in Kupwara district, which was devastated by the earthquake in October 2005.

Muslims also offered prayers at district headquarters in Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal, the sources said.

Barring the incident of stone-pelting at Hazratbal, in which two police officers were injured, there were no reports of any untoward incident from across the valley.

United Jehad Council, an umbrella grouping of 13 militant outfits, had announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire on the Id, which ends tonight.

Jammu: After a month of fasting, Muslims today celebrated Id-ul-Fitr with fervour. Amidst unprecedented security in wake of the bomb blast in Ajmer Muslims today gathered in Jammu Idgah to offer Id prayer, where political leaders of the state also participated.

People had started gathering on the Idgah premises here from early morning to offer Id prayers.

“After a month of continuous fasting, we celebrate Id, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan,” said a Muslim coming out of a mosque after offering prayers.

Minister for health Mangat Ram Sharma and senior BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta, besides other political leaders, also joined the celebration of Id at the Idgah.

Muslims were seen hugging one another and exchanging Id greetings.

People prayed for an early return of peace in the state.

Later, interacting with people the health minister hoped for the return of peace in the state.

He said Islam preaches universal brotherhood and harmony amongst people of different communities.

“If the message of Islam is followed, there will be peace everywhere,” he said.

Reports of celebration of Id in other parts of the Jammu region were also pouring in.

A section of the Shiite community had celebrated Id on Saturday, a day ahead when the entire Muslim community of the state celebrates it.

Katra: Hindu devotees, who gathered here to participate in the Navratra festival,were joined by their Muslim brethren to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr. Some Pakistani players, who were here to participate in a wrestling contest also celebrated Id amidst celebrations of the Navratras.

Although Navratra celebrations have been on and the entire Katra is charged with religious fervour, the only mosque of this holy city also witnessed a heavy rush of Muslims who gathered here to offer special namaz on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.

Many locals were present outside the mosque to greet their Muslim brethren on this auspicious occasion. Even pilgrims from outside the state, who came here for Mata Vaishno Devi yatra on the Navratras, were also seen standing outside the mosque to witness the heartening scenes.

Only 15 Muslim families have been permanently settled in Katra town, base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. For decades these families have been living in Katra and they too have faith in Mata Vaishno Devi. As eating and selling of meat has been banned in this town, Muslims too follow these restrictions to maintain sanctity of the town.

Apart from these families, over 10,000 Muslim ponywallahs and ‘pithoos’ have been working in this town. They are the backbone of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.

It is a coincidence this year the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan fell on the first Navratra. While thousands participated in the procession to mark the beginning of the Navratras, Muslims in large numbers also offered special prayers in the mosque.

Udhampur, October 14
Militants this morning ambushed a patrol party and killed a Subedar of the Army despite the United Jehad Council, an amalgam of militants, having announced unilateral ceasefire due to Id-ul-Fitr.

The deceased Army man has been identified as Subedar Suryawali, a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

Reports reaching here said militants ambushed a joint patrol party of the Army and the police at Johra near Gandoh, Doda early morning today.

As the patrol reached the jungle, militants opened fire resulting in severe injuries to the Subedar. Security personnel returned the fire on the militants who escaped in the darkness. Suryawali was shifted to hospital where he succumbed to 
his injuries.

Additional force has been sent to the spot to track down the militants involved in the incident.

Talwara, October 14
Over 50 registered Muslim migrant families living in the Talwara camp, are sans work, thanks to the apathy of the authorities. Struggling to earn a living due to denial of relief by the authorities, these migrants, for the third year in a row, celebrated Id in this makeshift camp located on the bank of the Chenab.

Of the total 495 registered families staying in the camp, there are more than 50 Muslim families, which have left their hearth and home due to militants' threat and taken shelter here. Like their Hindu brethren, these Muslim families are also on the verge of starvation due to the indifferent attitude of the state government.

The agony of the Muslim migrant families can be gauged from the woes of Makhana Khan of Lancha village, Mahore, camping at Talwara.Virtually on the verge of starvation, Makhana rued that for the third successive year they had been celebrating Id without special eatables. “It is difficult for us even to have meal twice a day, so there is no question of special eatables on this auspicious occasion'', said Razia, daughter of the 
octogenarian.

Similar is the story of Abdul Rashid of Kaitha village of Reasi district. He is living in this camp along with five members of his family. Abdul, who owns huge land in his native place, is working as labourer in Reasi town to earn two meals for his family. “What to say to cooking mutton or chicken, we are even struggling to get simple meal on the auspicious day of Id'', regretted Abdul.

Over 50 Muslim families have been living in miserable conditions in this camp. Like their Hindu brethren, Muslim migrants too refused to accept meagre relief being offered by the authorities.A majority of them migrated from the Lancha area of Mahore where terrorists’ writ runs.

“We are not beggars. We want relief on a par with other migrants of the state'', argued Abdul and asserted that they would not accept the meagre relief being offered by the authorities. “We face the wrath of the militants, but the authorities have been meting out ‘step-motherly’ treatment to us'', said Irfan, another migrant of Lancha.

Admitting migrants had been facing hardship, tehsildar, Reasi, Ashok Sharma claimed that relief was offered to the migrant families, but they refused to accept it. “About 15 per cent of the registered migrant families are Muslims,'' said the tehsildar and admitted that a majority of them had not accept relief offered by the authorities.

Meanwhile, after offering namaz, Muslim migrants joined the indefinite dharna being staged at Talwara camp. Migrants have started this dharna in support of their demand for relief on a par with other migrants.