Thousands of mourners on Friday joined the country's largest traditional Tazia procession in Old Dhaka, observing the holy Ashura with solemnity, religious devotion and tight security.

The procession began at around 10:10am from the historic Hoseni Dalan Imambara, where participants dressed in black marched through the streets while rhythmically beating their chests and chanting "Ya Hussain, Ya Hussain" in remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) at Karbala.

The procession passed through Lalbagh, Azimpur and several key roads before concluding at Dhanmondi Lake, also known as Karbala.

Similar Muharram processions were also brought out from Shia Imambaras in Mohammadpur, Mirpur and other parts of the capital, continuing a long-standing religious tradition observed every year.

Authorities enforced stringent security measures to ensure the peaceful observance of Ashura. Members of the police, Bangladesh Army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), SWAT, Fire Service and intelligence agencies were deployed along the procession routes and at key religious venues.

The authorities also prohibited participants from carrying knives, swords or any other sharp weapons during the procession. Organisers expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements made by law enforcement agencies.

Earlier, after inspecting security arrangements at Hoseni Dalan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said 63 Tazia processions were scheduled to be held this year from Imambaras under the Lalbagh, Wari, Ramna, Tejgaon, Motijheel and Mirpur divisions.

He said comprehensive security measures, including surveillance, traffic management and the deployment of specialised police units, had been taken to ensure all Ashura programmes were held peacefully and in an orderly manner.

Police said security arrangements would remain in place throughout the processions to ensure the safe participation of mourners and minimise public inconvenience.