Srinagar, March 7 Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Police to release those arrested for staging protests in the Valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28.
"Numerous protesters, including women, have been arrested across Kashmir for peacefully participating in rallies following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khomeini.
"Authorities had assured their families that they would be released soon. However, unfortunately, this has not been the case. I urge the Jammu and Kashmir Police to consider their release at the earliest," Mufti said in a post on X.
Kashmir, which is home to about 15 lakh Shias, witnessed major protests at Lal Chowk and Saida Kadal in Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Pulwama after the news of Khamenei's killing spread, forcing the authorities to impose restrictions, which were lifted on Saturday morning.
While the protests were largely peaceful, minor clashes broke out at a few places between security forces and protesters, prompting the former to use force to maintain law and order.
The US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989.
Following the military offensive, Iran has carried out a series of attacks, mainly targeting Israeli and American military bases in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
In the last few days, the conflict has significantly widened with attacks and counter-attacks by both sides.