Srinagar, Oct 27: Barring a few incidents of stone pelting in old city, north Kashmir’s Sopore town and south Kashmir’s Islamabad (Anantnag) town , Eidul Azha was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across Kashmir valley on Saturday.
Dressed in their best, devotees thronged Masjids , shrines and Eidgahs (prayer grounds) to offer Eid prayers.
The biggest congregation was held at Eidgah where nearly 30,000 people offered the prayers. The second largest congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among the 25,000 devotees, sources said.
Similar reports of large congregations were received from all district and tehsil headquarters of the Valley.
Eid-ul-Zuha is celebrated in the commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) readiness to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (AS) for Allah.
Although the congregational prayers passed off peacefully across the valley, an incidents of stone pelting and protests took place at Sekidafar area in the old city.
Witnesses said a group of youth pelted stones at police and paramilitary men deployed on law and order duty. Police fired tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charge to chase away the protesters.
A woman sustained injuries in the clashes between youth and force personnel. She was hospitalized.
Clashes between youth and force personnel broke out in south Kashmir’s Islamabad town soon after Eid congregation prayers. However, policemen dispersed the protesters.
While, talking to KNS, Inspector General of Police SM Sahai said that the day passed off peacefully. “Minor incidents of stone pelting occurred in Kawdara and one woman was injuried while district Sopore also witnessed minor incidents of stone pelting”’ said  Sahai.
He said that that the situation was soon brought under control.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST