Shia Muslims hold anti-Pakistan protests in J&K over blast in Islamabad mosque

Street demonstrations, mainly by Shia Muslims, were held in parts of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday (February 7, 2026) to condemn the killing of 31 Shia worshippers inside a mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Friday (February 6, 2026). 

Angry demonstrations have been witnessed since Friday evening in parts of Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Jammu. Several demonstrators raised anti-Pakistan slogans, including “down with Pakistan”, in Baramulla’s Pattan and Bandipora’s Shadipora areas, which have a sizeable population of Shia Muslims.  

“At a time when Muslims across the globe are under attack, Shia Muslims are targeted in Pakistan. What could be more shameful and condemnable?” a protester in Pattan said. 

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s chief cleric, condemned the attack. “The heinous suicide bombing attack at an imambargah (Shia congregation hall) in Islamabad, Pakistan, is deeply painful and strongly condemnable. Bloodshed in such a manner, that too at a place of worship, is profoundly distressing and unsettling, a moment of deep pain and reflection for the ummah (Muslim community),” he said.

Aga Syed Hassan al-Mousavi al-Safvi, president of the Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian J&K, termed the Islamabad attack a “barbaric assault on the core tenets of Islam and humanity”. “We demand immediate and decisive action from the Pakistani state to protect its Shia citizens,” Mr. al-Safvi said.

A spokesperson for the All J&K Shia Association, headed by Shia cleric and J&K Peoples Conference leader Imran Ansari, said it had held protests “to condemn Pakistan for the brutal blast at Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra, Tarlai, Islamabad, and demanded immediate action against those responsible”.

Masroor Ansari, a Shia cleric who heads Ittihadul Muslimeen, said they strongly opposed “such acts of violence”.

At least 31 worshippers were killed and over 100 injured in the deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad.