Congregational prayers were offered on Friday in Srinagar's Jamia Masjid after a gap of 16 months since the outbreak of the pandemic. The prayers were held in strict adherence to Covid protocols.
Devotees arrived at the 16th-century mosque amid stringent security arrangements made by the authorities to maintain law and order, officials said.
They said police personnel were deployed in large numbers to ensure security in the area as the first congregational prayer inside the mosque in over a year came a day after a suspected IED blast outside a mosque premises in Nowhatta.
A few dozen women offered prayers in an enclosure marked for them at the mosque, officials said.
The Anjuman Auqaf, which manages the historic mosque, had earlier announced that Friday prayers will be held this week since Covid cases have dipped and prayers were now being held in all central mosques, khanqahs, shrines and Imambaras of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the Anjuman Auqaf had made it clear that the devotees have to follow the guidelines of medical experts and strictly adhere to Covid standard operating protocols during the Friday and other daily prayers.
Video: Driven By Minor, Speeding Thar Rams Truck In Kashmir, 2 Killed Karnataka Forms Special Team To Probe 'Covid Scam' During BJP Rule Chaos In Jammu And Kashmir Assembly Again, MLAs Face Off Over Special Status Dhaka, Islamabad Inch Closer With Historic Sea Link. How It Impacts India Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's Brother Anmol Bishnoi Arrested In US: Sources Supreme Court Asks About Delhi Construction Ban. Lawyer's Reply Stuns Judge Excessive Mobile Use Linked to Depression In Teens: AIIMS Bhopal Study Maharashtra Ex Minister Anil Deshmukh Injured After Stones Thrown At Car Heart Health: 7 Tips For Managing Diabetes At Work Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.