Paramilitary soldiers pray for peace in Kashmir India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers offered prayers for peace in Kashmir valley on Sunday, the ninth day of Durga Puja. Soldiers chanted hymns and danced to drum beats to celebrate the day. Soldiers said the fervently hoped peace would return to the Kashmir valley. "We celebrate all festivals. By celebrating these festivals we want to spread the message of brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir region, which is disturbed with violence and terrorists," said Surjeet Kumar, a CRPF soldier. Meanwhile, Jharkhand police personnel celebrated the day in a different way, worshipping their arms and weapons. "We pray before our weapons so that they support us and help us as we have gunfights with terrorists and criminals all the time," said Ganesh Pradhan, secretary of the state's police association. The Navaratri festival is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Durga, a manifestation of Mother Goddess in Hindu mythology.