Protests erupt in Srinagar over Khamenei's death in US-Israel strikes
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Srinagar: Spontaneous protests swept parts of Srinagar Sunday after Iranian state TV confirmed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in US-Israeli airstrikes, prompting heavy security across Kashmir Valley.
Demonstrators marched peacefully in Saida Kadal and Lal Chowk, waving black flags, raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, and mourning the cleric. Traffic diversions kept order amid crowds; similar unrest hit Shia-heavy Budgam and other Valley areas, with some Sunnis joining in solidarity.
Kashmir's Shia community shares deep religious bonds with Iran, where many local scholars trained. Police and CRPF deployed heavily in Zadibal and protest-prone zones. No statements yet from leaders like Imran Raza Ansari.
Historical Persian influence endures via Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, whose legacy shaped Kashmiri Islam, culture, and crafts at sites like Srinagar's Khanqah-e-Moula. Authorities brace for fallout among Shias.
(Inputs from IANS)