PESHAWAR, Oct 29: People in most parts of the provincial capital offered Eidul Azha prayers under tight security on Saturday with police guarding mosques, imambargahs and eidgahs in large numbers.

Police patrolled the city and cantonment areas, while personnel of security forces checked suspected people and vehicles at checkpoints.

Also, security forces established a new checkpoint near Stadium Chowk, where vehicles were examined.

Similarly, residents of rural areas engaged armed volunteers for security. Head of the Adezai Qaumi Lashkar Fazal Malik told Dawn that Eid prayer was offered at local eidgah for the first time in three years.

“There was information about entry of two would-be suicide bombers in the rural area for a possible attack on our congregations on Eid but the bombers didn’t appear as our volunteers had taken positions in addition to the support of police,” he said.

The head of the peace body said security forces had established checkpoints in limits of the rural parts of Peshawar.

“The situation remained peaceful on Eid. We are ready to face anti-state elements anytime,” he said.

Meanwhile, KP Governor Masood Kausar accompanied by provincial chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and speaker of the provincial assembly Kiramatullah Khan offered Eidul Azha prayer at Governor’s House in Peshawar.

Amongst others in attendance were provincial ministers Rahimdad Khan, Bashir Ahmad Bilour and Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir Akhtar, parliamentarians, senior government officials and notables from the city.