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Security was stepped up in Kashmir in the wake of the U.S., Israel and Iran conflict on Saturday (February 28, 2026), even as the ruling National Conference urged the Centre to evacuate all Kashmiris stranded in the West Asian country through “every available route”.
The National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Kashmir’s chief cleric condemned the joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran.
Scores of protesters took to the streets in Kashmir’s Bandipora in a bid to show support for Iran and condemn the attack on it. They raised pro-Iran slogans. Similar scenes were witnessed in Budgam and Srinagar districts to “condemn” the attack on Iran.
Officials said Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was placed under house arrest “as a precautionary measure”. The Mirwaiz was scheduled to deliver a sermon at a shrine in Srinagar as part of the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.
“Preventing a purely religious sermon on such a significant occasion is unwarranted and disappointing. The gathering was spiritual in nature and intended to commemorate the life and legacy of Hazrat Khadija, a revered figure in Islam,” said a spokesperson of the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid.
In a post on X, the Mirwaiz said he “strongly condemned the attack on Iran by Israel”. “Lack of international accountability for Israel’s aggression in the region, especially with regard to Palestinians, has emboldened it to act with impunity, in such a wilful manner. With the U.S., Israel has now pushed the region toward a perilous escalation that risks igniting a wider regional conflict in the Middle East and destabilising global peace and security,” the Mirwaiz said.
National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah said U.S. President Donald Trump told the world he would end wars, not start them. “Today he has begun what his own officials describe as “not a small strike”, but weeks-long sustained operations. The hypocrisy is staggering. America does not get to appoint itself judge, jury, and executioner of sovereign nations. The U.S. is the single greatest threat to stability in the Middle East, and the world must say so plainly,” Mr. Ruhullah said.
He also urged the Ministry of External Affairs “to ensure the safety and security of all Kashmiris stranded in Iran and to evacuate them through every available route”.
Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti extended her prayers to “Iran and its resilient people as they face yet another act of aggression by Israel”.
“A nation that has long stood as a defining voice of the Muslim world draws its strength from unshakable faith and conviction. No missile or menace can extinguish its sovereignty or break its spirit. May Allah’s protection surround Iran, grant courage and patience to its people, and guide its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, with wisdom and strength,” Ms. Mufti said.
English (US) ·