US-Israel strikes on Iran: Ayatollah Khamenei killing sparks protests in Kashmir, Ladakh, several UP cities

LUCKNOW/KASHMIR: Shia protests swept Kashmir valley, Ladakh, and several UP cities Sunday after Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a US–Israeli strike, triggering street demonstrations, large-scale mourning gatherings and sharp political reactions across regions.J&K, however, shut educational institutions for two days as a precaution.At Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, thousands converged around the Clock Tower, shouting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. Black and red flags were raised, chests beaten in grief, and portraits of Khamenei and his predecessor Ayatollah Khomeini displayed.PDP legislators Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi and Waheed Parra joined protesters. It marked the largest Kashmir valley mobilisation since Article 370 was scrapped in 2019.

Demonstrations spread to Budgam, south and north Kashmir. In Ladakh’s Kargil district, a Shia stronghold, thousands assembled in the main market.Kashmir’s chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged a peaceful voluntary shutdown. CM Omar Abdullah said his govt was coordinating with the ministry of external affairs to ensure safety of J&K residents, including students, in Iran. Former CM Mehbooba Mufti described the day as one of mourning for the Muslim world, while People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone described the murder as something that was deeply distressing.

In Lucknow, thousands of Shias marched through streets as clerics denounced the strike. Maulana Kalbe Jawwad called the death a tragedy for Islam, and announced three days of mourning and a candle march at Chhota Imambara.Maulana Yasoob Abbas said effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu would be burnt. Islamic Centre of India chief. Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali called for international intervention, alleging civilian casualties, while urging communal harmony.Across western UP — Agra, Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Amroha, Shamli and Saharanpur — Shia mourners in black staged marches, some joined by Sunnis. In Muzaffarnagar, protesters marched from Kidwai Nagar imambara to Fakkar Shah Chowk and submitted a memorandum to local authorities. Agra saw slogans and prayers outside Shaheed-e-Salis Mosque.In Mumbai, Shias and Iranian expatriates held a condolence meet at Masjid-e-Iranian in Dongri. “We pray for peace and normalcy in Iran and west Asia,” said Ali Namazi of the mosque committee, which was sparked by concerns over weak internet links and relatives’ safety.Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned Khamenei’s killing, calling the US and Israel “rogue nations” with “insane” actions. In a letter to PM Narendra Modi, he urged Centre to ensure protection of

Indians

and prepare them for evacuation.