Security personnel stand guard as devotees offer Friday Prayers (ANI)

NEW DELHI: With Friday prayers in the Kashmir valley held peacefully in small mosques in residential areas even as curbs due to law and order concerns prevented a large congregation at Jama Masjid, sources indicated that the same template may be followed for Bakrid (Eid-ul Zuha) as well.

According to a senior official of the security establishment, the traditional congregation at Idgah in Srinagar for Eid-ul Zuha/Bakrid namaz may also face curbs on August 12. Muslims gather in large numbers at the Idgah grounds on Bakrid every year. However, this year a huge congregation at Idgah is unlikely in view of concerns that it may provide a ready ground for mobilisation of people for stone-pelting and violent protests against abrogation of Article 370 .

Some curbs may also remain in place at Hazratbal and Jama Masjid, with only local residents joining the prayers. Bakrid prayers at Jama Masjid are offered only in the event of bad weather not permitting them at the open-air Eidgah .

Sources said while shops for essential items and supplies will be allowed to be open in residential areas in view of Eid, the bigger markets may continue to be under restrictions. They said even the makeshift market at Idgah for selling sacrificial animals may not be fully operational this year. Local bakeries, which do brisk business on Eid-ul Zuha, will be open.

Sources indicated that as promised by the Prime Minister, the various curbs imposed under Section 144 (prohibitory orders) will be withdrawn in a phased manner as the situation in the valley becomes normal. “However, most of the relaxations may follow only after August 15 as separatist and ‘pro-azaadi’ sentiments run high around this time. Also there is pressure on terrorists holed up in the valley to attempt a strike,” said an officer.

There may be a staggered restoration of communications in the coming days, starting with land-line phones and calling services on post-paid BSNL mobiles. If this does not cause any disruption in law and order situation, restoration of services by private networks and broadband may follow. Mobile internet will be the last concession to be made.

As for assessment of terror threat in the days to come, an official said the likelihood of a big strike being attempted, either by terrorists holed up in the valley or freshly infiltrated foreign terrorists, is high as they are under pressure to register an impactful protest against the Centre’s bold step. “However, lack of effective leadership in terrorist tanzeems in the valley with many of their commanders killed over the past months and many Kashmiris realising the futility of turning to militancy, there may not be an alarming rise in terrorist violence,” said an intelligence officer.



In Video: Security measures in Kashmir Valley may be eased for Friday prayers and Eid