In Srinagar, at least 14 people, including six security personnel, were injured during protests that erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by a joint US-Israeli attack, officials said.
Authorities imposed restrictions on movement, shut down educational institutions, and slowed down mobile internet speeds in the Union Territory as precautionary measures.
Officials stated that 75 rallies were held in various parts of the Kashmir Valley, and some demonstrations were also held in the Jammu region. Security forces had to use minimal force to disperse protesters in some areas.
Protests occurred in Bemina, Gund Hassibhat, Saidakadal, Nigeen, Foreshore Road, and Jehangir Chowk in Srinagar, in Pulwama in south Kashmir, and Budgam in central Kashmir, all areas with a large Shia population. Protesters marched through the streets, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
While most of the protests were peaceful, clashes erupted in some areas, forcing security personnel to use minimal force to disperse the protesters.
Officials reported that 14 people – eight protesters and six security personnel – were injured during these clashes in the Kashmir Valley.
Severe restrictions were placed on movement in parts of Kashmir. These restrictions were implemented following a call for a one-day strike by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU).
He urged people to observe the strike "with unity, dignity, and in peace."
Authorities sealed Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk with barricades surrounding it, and a large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protesters.
Officials stated that concertina wire and barricades were placed at key intersections leading to the city, emphasizing that these were precautionary measures to maintain law and order.
Authorities also closed all educational institutions for two days as a precautionary measure for the safety of students and to maintain law and order. Similar restrictions were imposed in Shia-dominated areas in other districts of the Kashmir Valley. Mobile internet speeds were also slowed down across Kashmir.
The MMU's call for a strike was supported by several political parties, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
"We fully support and stand with the call for a shutdown by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to commemorate the martyrdom of Iran's Supreme Leader. This is a day of mourning to remind the world that injustice anywhere wounds the entire Muslim Ummah and all who stand for truth," she said.
Police issued an advisory urging all media organizations and news platforms to exercise the highest level of responsibility and professionalism in their reporting.
"Please refrain from publishing unverified information, speculation, or rumors; ensure that all reports are confirmed through credible and authoritative sources before dissemination; and avoid sensational headlines that may create unnecessary panic," the advisory read.
In the Jammu region, a partial strike was observed in Kishtwar and Doda districts of the Chenab Valley region, with groups of people holding peaceful protests to condemn the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader.
The law and order situation across the region remained peaceful, with no reported incidents, officials said.
Most of the shops and business establishments remained closed in both Kishtwar and Doda district headquarters and in other major towns in response to separate bandh calls given by religious leaders to protest the alleged aggression of the US and Israel.
The Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, Moulvi Farooq Ahmad Kachloo, also led a protest rally from the place of worship to the nearby bus stand, officials said, adding that the protesters chanted slogans against the US and Israel before dispersing peacefully.
Reports of protests were also received from Bounjwa, Drabshall, and Chatroo in Kishtwar, Gandoh and Bhaderwah in Doda, they said.
In Ramban district, which also falls in the Chenab Valley region, Shia mourners organised special prayers at Chanderkote for the second day to pay homage to Khamenei and others who lost their lives in the US-Israel attacks.
The Muslim community also held protests at different places in the Rajouri and Poonch districts. Several Muslim organizations have called for a Rajouri bandh on Tuesday after a joint meeting at the local Jamia masjid.
The president of the Islamic Welfare Organisation, Rajouri, Shafqat Mir, said the present situation is quite worrisome and the US, as well as Israel, have crossed all limits of humanity by directly targeting Iran and killing the supreme leader.
Protests and mourning assemblies for Khamenei were also held in the Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh. A large number of Shia mourners assembled at the Hussaini Park in Kargil to take part in the protest.
