People In Kashmir Take To Streets With Supreme Leader’s Picture After Khamenei’s Death

Srinagar: As soon as the news of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the joint military operation "Operation Epic Fury" of America and Israel reached Kashmir, the entire valley came to a boil. Roads everywhere from Srinagar to Ramban and Bandipora were covered with protesters. A large number of Shia Muslims came out of their homes holding Khamenei's pictures and posters in their hands and the atmosphere echoed with slogans of "Khamenei Zindabad" and "America-Israel Murdabad".

Why such a deep impact in Kashmir?

Khamenei's death does not have this effect on Kashmir just like that. In the Shia community here, he was seen not just as a politician but as a symbol of the Islamic revolution and a sympathizer of Palestine. This 86-year-old religious leader, who has been at the helm of Iran since 1989, was deeply respected among a section of the people here due to his always supporting Iran on the Kashmir issue. He was considered the voice of religious unity in Shia dominated areas.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Shia Muslims in Ramban protest against the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been killed in Israeli and US strikes pic.twitter.com/FcRZD4vVq7

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2026

When and how did Khamenei die?

Israel named it "Operation Roaring Lion" and the US named it "Operation Epic Fury". Khamenei was working in his office in Tehran when the missiles struck his official compound. Iranian state media later confirmed his death and declared national mourning. US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Khamenei was "one of the worst people in history".

Is the damage even greater?

The loss in this attack was not limited to Khamenei alone. According to reports, more than 40 top Iranian leaders, military commanders and senior IRGC officials were killed. Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter also lost their lives in this attack. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared him a martyr and vowed revenge, while the IRGC has announced retaliatory attacks on 27 US military bases in the Middle East and Israel.

What will be the further impact of this fire in Kashmir?

Experts of the valley say that this demonstration is not just an emotional explosion, there are religious, political and social layers behind it. This is the outpouring on the streets of the feeling of solidarity that has been there for a long time in Kashmir towards Iran and Palestine. Analysts believe that if the fire in the Middle East flares up further, its heat will not remain without affecting the politics and social fabric of Kashmir. At present, security forces are alert in the entire valley and are keeping a close watch on the situation.