Muslims in Srinagar mark the first day of Ramadan

Video. Muslims mark the first day of Ramadan in Kashmir

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began across India on Thursday.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began across India on Thursday.

In Indian-controlled Kashmir, Muslims gathered at Srinagar's Grand mosque to offer their special prayers.

Devout Muslims abstain from all eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk for each day of the lunar month, which lasts for around 30 days.

On Wednesday, the Indian government announced that its troops would halt counter-insurgency operations in disputed Kashmir during Ramadan, its first such declaration in 18 years.