Mobile internet services were suspended in Srinagar on Sunday after thousands of protesters took to the streets across the city and adjoining areas following reports of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities also announced the closure of schools and colleges for two days amid a shutdown call and continuing demonstrations.

Large crowds gathered in several parts of the Valley, converging at Lal Chowk in central Srinagar, where protesters raised slogans condemning the killing and expressing solidarity with Iran. Demonstrators also assembled outside the office of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Sonwar, attempting to submit a memorandum. Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel barricaded the main gate, and no UN official came out to receive the memorandum. Protesters staged a sit-in for several hours, briefly blocking the road.

Chants such as “Allah-o-Akbar, Khamenei rehbar” and slogans targeting the United States and Israel echoed through the streets. Many demonstrators carried photographs of Khamenei and flags, while women and children were visibly present in large numbers. Some mourners beat their chests in a display of grief, describing the loss as deeply personal and irreparable.

Also Read: Neighbour Arrested for Raping and Killing 6-Year-Old Girl in Bihar

Despite the scale of the protests, authorities reported no incidents of violence. A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces was made across sensitive locations, with senior officers, including Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, overseeing security arrangements on the ground.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm and urged residents to maintain peace. He said the government was in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety and well-being of residents of the Union Territory, including students currently in Iran. Observers noted that protests of this magnitude have rarely been permitted in Srinagar in recent years, underscoring the depth of sentiment among sections of the population.

Also Read: MP Assembly Concludes Budget Session Amid Protests, Key Announcements on Development