Widespread Protests in India and Pakistan Following Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei's Death

Following the confirmed killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel airstrike, widespread protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, Budgam, and Ladakh, as well as in Indian cities like Lucknow, Ajmer, Bhopal, and Hyderabad. The Shia Muslim community led peaceful demonstrations mourning Khamenei, raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, with some Sunni Muslims joining in solidarity. Authorities deployed security forces to maintain order, while political leaders, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, appealed for calm. Protests also occurred in Karachi, Pakistan, where clashes with security forces led to injuries. The incident has heightened regional tensions amid ongoing Iran-Israel conflicts, with Iran declaring 40 days of mourning and vowing retaliation. Indian Muslim organizations announced mourning periods and condemned the strikes, emphasizing the global impact of Khamenei's death.