The Kashmir Pulse

NEW DELHI — Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and various other states including Tamil Nadu and Kerala joined millions worldwide on Wednesday in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the month-long Ramadan fasting period.

In a show of faith and unity, worshippers gathered at mosques and open prayer grounds to offer 'Namaz', or Eid prayers. In Jammu and Kashmir, morning prayers marked the start of Eid celebrations, with communities coming together to observe the holy festival.

In Coimbatore, hundreds congregated for mass prayer ceremonies, while similar scenes unfolded in Kerala's Ernakulam district and Thiruvananthapuram, where large numbers participated in prayers.

The festive spirit extended beyond prayer as markets bustled with activity, with people flocking to buy traditional sweets and delicacies for the occasion. Shopkeepers reported high demand for treats such as gulab jamun, rasgulla, and seviyan, along with a variety of savoury snacks.

Despite the shared joy, regional differences in the sighting of the crescent moon led to varying observations of Eid-ul-Fitr. While Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, confirmed celebrations for Wednesday after moon sighting on April 9, other regions like Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Delhi opted to celebrate on April 11 due to the absence of moon sighting.

Eid-ul-Fitr holds profound significance in the Islamic calendar, signifying the end of Ramadan fasting and the beginning of Shawwal. The observance of the moon-sighting tradition underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival, which also marks the start of a new Islamic year.

With rituals and grace, Muslims across India and beyond embrace Eid-ul-Fitr as a time of joy, reflection, and community solidarity.

SRINAGAR — Another tourist injured in a road mishap along Zojila Pass has succumbed to his injuries, taking the overall toll in the accident to six.

An official said that a tourist who was undergoing treatment at SKIMS Soura succumbed to his injuries this morning. The official identified the deceased as Manoj (25), a resident of Kerala.

It is pertinent to mention here that a driver among five persons died after a vehicle, they were on board, rolled down into a gorge along Zojila Pass on December 5, 2023. In another accident on December 7, 2023, five more persons lost their lives along the road.

The Ganderbal administration has yesterday clamped restrictions on the movement of tourist vehicles along the treacherous pass.

RAJOURI — A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed in Rajouri district was on Tuesday morning found dead inside a camp following which police have started an investigation into the matter.

Official sources told the news agency KNO that the CRPF personnel from Kerala was on duty at Tain Bridge camp in Nowshera area of Rajouri where he was found dead in a pool of blood.

“It seems to be a case of suicide,” they said, adding that the body of deceased personnel has been taken into the possession and sent for post-mortem.

Meanwhile, police have started an investigation into the matter.

SRINAGAR — A male tourist from Kerala state died due to cardiac arrest in the summer capital Srinagar on Tuesday morning.

Sources told the news agency KDC that one tourist identified as C M Babu (55), a resident of Kerala state, complained of chest pain at a hotel located in Rajbagh, and subsequently, Babu was shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for treatment.

However, doctors, after examining the tourist, declared him dead with the reason cited as cardiac arrest, they said.

The body of the deceased will be handed over to his family members for last rites after the completion of medico-legal formalities.