Srinagar, June 16: The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervor across Jammu and Kashmir, even as clashes erupted in several parts of the valley, leaving a civilian dead.
Muslims from all walks of life made a beeline for Eidgahs (prayer ground) and mosques to offer Eid prayers as a thanksgiving for the month-long fasting of Ramadhan.
Officials said the biggest gathering was witnessed at Hazratbal shrine where thousands of faithful offered Eid prayers.
They said the second largest gathering was held at Eidgah in the old city.
Big gatherings of Eid prayers were also held in Sonawar and Soura Shrines in the heart of the city, they said, adding similar gatherings were held at all districts headquarters and major towns of the Kashmir Valley.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, joined a large number of people to offer her Eid prayers at Ziyarat Hazrat Syed Sahib (R.A.), Sonwar, Srinagar.
A youth was killed and 22 persons, including 11 cops, were injured in violent clashes that erupted after the Eid prayers in Anantnag town in south Kashmir.
While the local reports and medics said the youth died of pellet injuries, a police spokesman said that the youth, identified as Sheraz Ahmad Naikoo of Brakpora village died in a grenade blast.
Clashes also erupted in Shopian town where at least seven persons were injured. Youth clashed with the forces after prayers culminated at Eidgah Srinagar. Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed the gathering for the first time in past eight years.
A Hurriyat (G) spokesman said that Syed Ali Geelani was prevented from heading towards the Eidgah for the prayers.
