PESHAWAR, Dec 16: Following information about a possible attempt of suicide attack, the security agencies were put on red alert ahead of Ashura here on Thursday.

In wake of the grenade attack on the ninth Muharram procession at Chowk Yadgar, all the link and main roads were completely closed and movement of pedestrians was also restricted. The heavy security will stay in place for Ashura today (Friday).

Talking to media persons at Saddar, Inspector General of Police Fayyaz Ahmed Toru said that police had taken all possible measures to ensure protection to the mourners.

He said that the army had provided eight Cobra helicopters to police for surveillance of processions in the province, mainly in Peshawar, Hangu, Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan. He said that the army was also on call.

About the possible sabotage attempts, the IGP claimed that they had information that five suicide bombers, including women, belonging to Swat and Mohmand Agency had entered the city.

“We have faced repeated attacks and we are ready to face every challenge for the protection of people and country,” he said and added that the militants were showing signs of frustration.

Meanwhile, the procession of ninth Muharram appeared from Imambargah Hussainia which after passing through traditional routes ended at the same worship place where both police and volunteers of mourners continued body search of people.

The markets and bazaars remained closed and people in residential areas in cantonment also avoided roaming outside.

Unlike past, public transport remained off the roads and people, including women and children, were seen marching towards their destinations.

The police had already announced closing streets and link roads, but this time the main Sher Shah Suri Road was also blocked for traffic. People had to walk from the FC Chowk as the vehicles were not allowed to move towards Saddar Bazaar.

The Mall Road also remained closed from all sides and movement towards University Road was allowed, but public transport remained suspended from Khyber Road side.

Police and paramilitary forces remained alert and continued checking people and vehicles to thwart any untoward incident.

In Peshawar city all the entry points were closed. Police also kept on checking people at Kohati, Kabli, Yakatoot, Ganj, Lahori, which caused severe problems to the area residents.

The GT Road remained blocked due to Muharram processions and security blockades.

The workers of private offices and those on way to the general bus stand had the only option to walk on foot.

HARIPUR: The ninth Muharram was observed with religious reverence here on Thursday. The main procession of Zuljinah and Alam was taken out from Imambargah Imamia Sajjadia which ended at Imambargah Qadeemia.

Heavy contingents of elite force, reserved and regular police were on guard to provide security to the procession. The entry and exit points of the district were sealed and the main bazaar and its link roads were also closed on Wednesday evening.

The law-enforcement agencies had placed walkthrough gates at the roads leading to imambargahs and the mourners were allowed after frisking by police.

Speaking to the mourners, religious scholar Dr Hassnain Raza Turabi threw light on the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions. He stressed the need for unity among Muslims against the anti-Islam forces.