UPDATES WITH REPORTS OF CLASHES, ADDS 2ND DECK; ADDS BACKGROUND
By Nusrat Sidiq
SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir imposed restrictions on public gatherings on Monday following widespread protests over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli airstrikes.
Security forces sealed key areas of Srinagar, suspended high-speed internet services, closed educational institutions for two days, and intensified checks at major entry and exit points.
Officials described the measures as “precautionary,” aimed at preventing potential law and order disturbances after large demonstrations on Sunday.
A region-wide shutdown was also observed following a strike call by religious leaders led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, with businesses and public transportation remaining closed.
Clashes broke out after Indian police resorted to teargas shelling to disperse protesters, who attempted to march toward Srinagar’s main square near Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower), triggering confrontations, while demonstrations continued for a second day across the valley.
Demonstrators carried portraits of Khamenei, slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, and slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans and waving Iranian and Hezbollah flags.
The restrictions drew criticism from political leaders. Lawmaker Aga Ruhullah Mehdi described the closure of the Ghanta Ghar area as “shameful,” while Tanvir Sadiq said peaceful mourning “is not a crime.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for restraint, urging authorities to allow residents to grieve peacefully. “We must ensure that people in Jammu and Kashmir who are mourning are allowed to do so peacefully,” he said.
“The police and civil administration should exercise utmost restraint and refrain from using force or unnecessary restrictive measures," he added.
The joint US-Israeli attacks have killed several senior Iranian officials, including Khamenei, since Saturday.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting US-linked sites in Gulf countries, resulting in several deaths. Four US service members have been killed and four others seriously wounded.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, the death toll from the US and Israeli airstrikes since Saturday has climbed to 555.