Srinagar, March 1 Thousands of protesters took to the streets in various parts of Kashmir, including the city of Srinagar, on Sunday, protesting the killing of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike, officials said.
The protests erupted in areas with a large Shia population, officials said, adding that the protesters marched peacefully through the streets, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in an attack by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday.
Protests were held in Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Pulwama areas of the valley, officials said.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief priest of Kashmir, said he was deeply saddened and outraged at Khamenei's killing.
"Deeply saddened and outraged at the brutal killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei by the US and Israel, which has shaken the Muslim world. The people of J&K collectively condemn this brutality and the ongoing aggression against Iran, as well as the massacre of innocent female students in Minab," Mirwaiz said in a post on X.
He said the people of Kashmir were in solidarity with the people of Iran.
"In this hour of immense sorrow, our hearts beat with the resilient people of Iran. May Allah grant strength to the oppressed, elevate the martyrs, and bring swift justice to those responsible for this," he said.
The religious leaders said this is a moment for Muslims to rise above divisions and stand united and "register our protest and solidarity against this killing and the continued aggression in the region".
They said Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), a coalition of religious organizations, has called for a complete strike on Monday.
"We urge the people to observe it with unity, dignity, and complete peacefulness," he added.
Jamiat Ahli Hadith leader Mohammad Maqbool also condemned the killing.
There are approximately 15 lakh Shias in the Kashmir valley.