Violence erupted in Jammu Kashmir after Peer Dastgeer Sahib Shrine gutted in major fire

SRINAGAR, India (Mon, Jun 25) – The clashes between police and angry Muslims erupted after the over 200-year-old historical Peer Dastgeer Sahib shrine in Srinagar was devastated in a blaze here Monday morning although the authorities said all the relics of the 11th century saint were unharmed.

Violence erupted in Jammu Kashmir after Peer Dastgeer Sahib Shrine gutted in major fire

According to details; fire broke out inside the Peer Dastgeer Sahib Shrine in Khanyar locality of the city around 6.30 am today. Firefighters and emergency teams responded quickly as dozens of firefighters were trying to control the blaze. 

A senior officer of the local firefighting department said, "The firefighting is still going on at the shrine although the old wooden structure appears to have suffered massive damage. The cause of fire is being ascertained". 

According to initial reports; there have been no casualties, but a few people are reported to be trapped inside the shrine.

The old wooden building has suffered extensive damage, reports said. It is not yet known what caused the fire.

Admiration for the 11th century saint in Indian held Kashmir cuts across religious barriers, while Muslims call the saint Ghaus-e-Azam, the Hindus worship the saint as Kahnoow.