Thousands March In Kashmir To Mourn Khamenei’s Death In American Attack | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Tens of thousands of people, predominantly from the Shia Muslim community, poured out of their homes across Kashmir shortly after Sehri on Sunday morning, following confirmation by Iranian state media of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike.

Massive and largely peaceful protests were reported from Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Bandipora and several towns in north and south Kashmir, as well as Kargil in Ladakh. Demonstrators marched through the streets chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, carrying portraits of Khamenei and black flags in mourning.

In Srinagar, thousands converged at Lal Chowk’s Ghanta Ghar, where crowds continued to swell as mourners arrived from different parts of the Valley. Traffic diversions were put in place as protesters assembled in large numbers in the city centre. Many participants are wailing and beating their chests in grief, describing Khamenei as their spiritual leader.

Shia-majority areas such as Budgam and Kargil saw significant gatherings, while protests were also reported in Magam along Gulmarg Road and in parts of Bandipora district, including Sarai Dangarpora and Shadipora. Organisers maintained that the demonstrations were peaceful and intended as a show of solidarity with Iran and an appeal for restraint in the Middle East.

Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump stated that the 86-year-old leader had been killed. Khamenei had served as Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

Police and paramilitary forces, including the CRPF, were deployed in strength across sensitive areas of the Valley, particularly in Srinagar’s Zadibal locality and other Shia-dominated pockets, to prevent any untoward incident. Officials said security arrangements had been intensified in anticipation of public reaction.

Several political and religious leaders condemned the reported strike. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm, urging people to uphold peace and avoid actions that could lead to tension. In a statement, his office said the government was in close coordination with the Union Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety of residents from Jammu and Kashmir currently in Iran.

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the attack an act of aggression and expressed solidarity with Iran. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was reportedly placed under house arrest, condemned the strike and warned of wider regional escalation.

Expressing deep sorrow and outrage over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, by the United States and Israel, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have collectively condemned what they described as brutality and ongoing aggression against Iran, as well as the reported massacre of innocent girl students in Minab, Mirwaiz said in a statement published on X.

In this hour of grief, they conveyed solidarity with the people of Iran, he said, praying for strength for the oppressed, elevation of the martyrs, and justice for those responsible. Calling it a moment for the Ummah to rise above divisions and stand united, Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama urged people to register their protest and solidarity against the killing and continued aggression in the region, appealing for unity, dignity and complete peacefulness in expressing their sentiments.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee announced the postponement of all political activities scheduled for Sunday in honour of Khamenei. Its president, Tariq Hameed Karra, led party members in expressing grief and condemning the air strikes.

Meanwhile, Indian students in Iran appealed to the Government of India for urgent evacuation amid reports of continuing airstrikes. According to education consultants, over 2,000 Indian students are pursuing MBBS degrees in Iran, a majority of them from Jammu and Kashmir. The All India Medical Students Association’s J&K president, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, urged the External Affairs Ministry to take proactive steps to safeguard Indian citizens.

Authorities said the protests across Kashmir remained peaceful through the day, with participants dispersing in several areas after marches and gatherings. Security forces remained on alert as demonstrations continued in parts of Srinagar late Sunday evening.