People protest in opposition to the alleged killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a reported U.S.-Israel strike, in Srinagar, on March 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Spontaneous and widespread road protests erupted throughout Kashmir, together with the capital Srinagar and in Ladakh, on Sunday (March 1, 2026) over the killing of Iranian supreme chief Ayatollah Khamenei in an Israel-U.S. assault.
Security was stepped up throughout the Valley in response to the demonstrations. J&Okay Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat patrolled the streets of Srinagar to watch the scenario, whereas the authorities warned residents in opposition to “misusing social media”. Fearing extra protests, the J&Okay Government ordered the closure of all academic establishments in Kashmir for the following two days.
CM’s “uphold peace” message
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed to folks to “uphold peace” and urged the police “to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from using force or restrictive measures”. “We must also ensure that those who are mourning in J&K are allowed to grieve peacefully,” Mr. Abdullah mentioned.
Read: Iran-Israel conflict LIVE
The enchantment got here hours after a whole bunch of Muslims, largely from the Shia sect, poured onto the streets in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora districts. Significant protests have been additionally reported in Ladakh’s Kargil and Leh districts.
The largest rally passed off at Srinagar’s Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower), the place demonstrators provided congregational prayers and marched to the workplace of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNIMOGIP) in Srinagar to register their protest. Beating their chests and mourning, protesters draped the clock tower with photos of the slain chief and raised anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans. “The death of a martyr infuses life into the nation’s cause,” mentioned a protester.
Waheed Ur Rehman Parra of the Peoples Democratic Party joined the protests at Lal Chowk. Top Shia clerics in Kashmir, together with Aga Syed Ruhullah, Imran Ansari, Masroor Abbas and Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, expressed sorrow over the killing.
“There will be 40 days of official mourning across the region. Black flags will be hoisted at all mosques, imambargahs, and religious institutions across the Valley,” mentioned Shia cleric Aga Syed Hassan Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi, president of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian.
The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama, an amalgam of Islamic organisations headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, referred to as for a shutdown on Monday. “I am deeply saddened and outraged at the brutal killing. It has shaken the Muslim world. This is a moment for the Muslim Ummah to rise above divisions, stand united, and register our protest and solidarity against this killing and the continued aggression in the region,” the Mirwaiz mentioned.
Former J&Okay chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti described the killing as “a deeply tragic and shameful point in history”.
She criticised Israel and the U.S. for celebrating the act and condemned Muslim international locations that “chose convenience over conscience.” “Israel and the U.S. are boasting about the killing. What’s more disgraceful and shocking is the explicit and implicit support given by Muslim countries who chose convenience and expedience over conscience,” Mr. Mufti mentioned.
“History will stand testaments to who fought for justice and who helped the oppressors. Prayers with the people of Iran. May Allah grant them strength & victory over forces of tyranny and injustice,” she mentioned.
Published – March 01, 2026 10:58 am IST
