Eid Milad-un-Nabi was observed across India on Wednesday, August 26, with Muslims offering special prayers and participating in religious gatherings to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. Major observances were reported from places including Srinagar, Mumbai and Shivamogga, where devotees gathered at mosques and shrines and communities marked the occasion with prayers and other programmes.

The occasion is observed on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal and is associated with remembering the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. In his message on the eve of the festival, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings to citizens, particularly members of the Muslim community, and said the occasion was an opportunity to recall the Prophet's teachings and ideals. 

Prayers at Hazratbal in Srinagar

In Srinagar, large numbers of devotees gathered at the Dargah Hazratbal, one of the most important Muslim shrines in Jammu and Kashmir. The shrine houses a holy relic associated with Prophet Muhammad and traditionally draws large congregations during Milad observances.

Special prayers were held through the night ahead of the main observance on Wednesday. Devotees from different parts of Kashmir, including men, women and children, visited the shrine to participate in prayers. Special religious gatherings were also held at mosques and shrines across the region.

Authorities had made arrangements for the expected crowds, including traffic management, security, cleanliness, medical facilities and other essential services. The Srinagar administration also reviewed preparations at Hazratbal ahead of the large congregation. 

Celebrations in Mumbai

Mumbai also witnessed Eid Milad-un-Nabi observances, with members of the Muslim community gathering for prayers and religious programmes.

Across the city, mosques and community spaces marked the occasion with special prayers and gatherings. The festival was observed as a religious occasion centred on remembrance, prayer and reflection on the teachings associated with Prophet Muhammad.

The day was also observed in several other parts of the country, with local programmes and gatherings organised according to regional traditions.

Shivamogga Streets Illuminated

In Shivamogga, Karnataka, the occasion was marked by illumination and decorations, adding a festive atmosphere to parts of the city. Religious and community celebrations were held as Muslims observed the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. 

The celebrations in different cities reflected the varied ways in which Eid Milad-un-Nabi is observed across India, ranging from special prayers and religious gatherings to community programmes and decorations.

Leaders Extend Greetings

Several political and public leaders extended greetings to people on the occasion.

President Droupadi Murmu said the festival provides an opportunity to recall the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and expressed the hope that his ideals would inspire people to contribute towards building an inclusive and developed India. 

In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also extended greetings, describing the Prophet's teachings as a message of peace, equality and compassion. 

Message of Peace and Brotherhood

Eid Milad-un-Nabi is observed by Muslims in India and across the world as an occasion to remember the life, teachings and message of Prophet Muhammad. Prayers, recitations and religious gatherings form an important part of the observance.

The festival is also associated with messages of compassion, brotherhood, equality and peaceful coexistence. Leaders and community representatives across India used the occasion to emphasise these values while extending greetings to people.

With large gatherings expected at important religious sites, authorities in several regions had also stepped up security and civic arrangements. In Srinagar, police reviewed security measures around major religious locations, particularly Hazratbal, ahead of the celebrations. 

The nationwide observance on Wednesday brought together communities in different parts of India for prayers and celebrations, with Srinagar, Mumbai and Shivamogga among the cities where prominent programmes and gatherings were reported.

A Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable was killed in a terrorist attack in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag district on Wednesday, highlighting the continuing security challenges in the Kashmir Valley during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terrorist outfit linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to security officials, terrorists opened fire on police personnel at around 12:30 pm while they were deployed in the busy Lal Chowk market as part of security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra. Security personnel immediately retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of fire.

Head Constable Ashiq Hussain sustained critical bullet injuries during the attack. He was rushed for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.

Massive Search Operation Underway

Following the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and other security agencies launched a large-scale cordon-and-search operation across the area.

Officials sealed all entry and exit routes around Lal Chowk and intensified vehicle checks and identity verification of pedestrians. Additional security personnel were deployed to prevent any further incident and to trace the attackers.

Investigators are working to determine the number of terrorists involved and the escape route they may have used. Preliminary assessments indicate that the attackers may still be hiding in nearby localities, prompting security forces to continue search operations.

Attack During Amarnath Yatra Security

The incident occurred while police personnel were deployed to ensure security for pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra, one of the country's largest religious pilgrimages. Authorities have maintained heightened security across Jammu and Kashmir during the yatra, deploying thousands of police and paramilitary personnel to secure pilgrimage routes and sensitive locations.

Despite the attack, officials said security arrangements for the pilgrimage remain fully operational, with additional vigilance being maintained across the Valley.

TRF Claims Responsibility

Soon after the attack, The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility. The outfit has been identified by Indian security agencies as a proxy organisation linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been involved in several attacks targeting civilians and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

Security agencies are investigating the claim while continuing efforts to identify and neutralise those involved in Wednesday's attack.

Recent Security Alert Along the LoC

The incident comes just days after the Indian Army thwarted a suspected infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district.

On the night of 17 July, Army personnel detected suspicious movement near the Tarkundi forward area and opened fire. Officials said intermittent firing continued for nearly 90 minutes. Although no casualties were reported, security forces believe suspected militants were attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory.

A search operation was launched after the firing, but no arrests were made.

Security Vigil Intensified

Following the Anantnag attack, security agencies have further strengthened surveillance across south Kashmir. Intelligence units are coordinating with local police and Army formations to prevent additional attacks, particularly during the Amarnath Yatra.

Officials have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, while assuring that all necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and ensure the safety of pilgrims and civilians.

The naturally formed ice Shivling at the Amarnath cave shrine has shrunk significantly since the beginning of this year's pilgrimage, with the sacred formation now measuring only about one foot in height, according to the latest visuals from the shrine. Despite the rapid melting, the annual Amarnath Yatra has witnessed a robust turnout, with more than 56,000 pilgrims offering prayers during the first three days—an increase of nearly 18.6 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

The 57-day pilgrimage commenced on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28 under tight security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to photographs released by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on May 23, the naturally formed ice Shivling stood at nearly seven feet. By June 29, when the first puja of the pilgrimage was performed, the ice formation measured more than five feet.

However, the latest images released on July 6 indicate that the Shivling has reduced to approximately one foot, suggesting that nearly 90 per cent of the original ice formation has melted over the past several weeks.

Despite concerns over the shrinking Shivling, pilgrim enthusiasm has remained undiminished. Officials said over 56,000 devotees have visited the shrine during the first three days of the yatra, compared with 47,972 pilgrims during the same period in 2025.

Devotees continue to undertake the pilgrimage through both designated routes—the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan–Pahalgam route and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route.

Authorities have deployed extensive security and medical support along both routes. Personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police's Mountain Rescue Team have been assisting pilgrims, including providing emergency oxygen support to those experiencing health complications at high altitudes.

Meanwhile, the pilgrimage recorded its first reported casualty after a devotee from Uttar Pradesh died following a snakebite at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.

The deceased, identified as Amit Kumar, was reportedly bitten around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Officials said he was immediately shifted to Government Medical College Hospital, where doctors later declared him dead despite treatment. Authorities have not announced any additional safety measures following the incident.

With the number of devotees rising steadily, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has advised pilgrims without prior registration to postpone their journey, stating that all available registration slots have already been booked until July 9.

Officials clarified that only pilgrims possessing valid registration will be permitted to proceed through the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Those arriving without confirmed registration will be stopped at designated checkpoints and allowed to continue only after fresh slots become available.

The administration has appealed to devotees not to travel to the base camps without prior registration to avoid overcrowding and inconvenience.

The Amarnath Yatra remains one of Hinduism's most significant annual pilgrimages, attracting lakhs of devotees every year. The naturally formed ice Shivling, popularly known as Baba Barfani, is regarded as a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva and traditionally waxes and wanes with changing weather conditions inside the Himalayan cave shrine.

Even as the ice formation has reduced considerably this year, officials continue to report smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, supported by enhanced security, medical facilities and logistical arrangements aimed at ensuring the safe movement of pilgrims through the challenging mountain terrain.