Protests Erupt in Jammu and Kashmir and India Following Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei's Death

Following the confirmed death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel airstrike, widespread protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Shia-majority areas like Srinagar, Budgam, and Ladakh, as well as in Lucknow and Karachi. Demonstrators expressed grief and raised anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, with many calling for peace amid heightened regional tensions. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm and coordination with central authorities to maintain order and ensure safety. Religious and political leaders condemned the strike, warning of broader geopolitical consequences, while some protests in Karachi turned violent, prompting security responses. The situation reflects deep sectarian and geopolitical sensitivities linked to Khamenei's influence in the Muslim world.