Due to protests in the Union Territory following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a combined US-Israeli operation, schools throughout Kashmir have been suspended since Monday and will stay closed on Tuesday.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir issued an order stating that all Government and Private Recognized Schools of Kashmir Division would remain closed on March 2 and 3, 2026, in the interest of administration and safety of students.
After an almost three month long winter break, classes were set to resume on Monday.
The limitations were intended to prevent miscreants and anti-national elements from exploiting public sentiments in the aftermath of United States-Israel strikes on Iran.
Protests over the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday in a joint military action by the United States and Israel broke out in a number of Indian regions, including Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir government also restricted mobile internet speed during the protests.
Since 1989, the 86 year old Khamenei has been Iran’s supreme leader. He was in charge of the armed forces and every branch of government. Among Shia Muslims, he was regarded as an important figure.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Srinagar and at Lal Chowk in the city center, brandishing photos of Khamenei and waving black flags. Marchers marched through nearby communities while shouting anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans.
various stores closed for many hours before reopening in the evening, and traffic was momentarily interrupted in various areas of the city.
A number of Sunni lawmakers and leaders participated in the demonstrations as well. Zuhaib Yousuf Mir and PDP politician Waheed Para were spotted with protesters at Lal Chowk.
Additionally, protests were recorded from Bandipora in north Kashmir, including Shadipora and Sumbal, where locals marched following prayers, as well as Budgam district.
Mourners gathered in the town center of Ladakh’s Shia-majority Kargil area, calling the attack an assault on the Muslim world and offering prayers for the deceased leader.
Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the PDP and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, showed support for Iran. She described Iran as a defining voice of the Muslim world and said that no missile or menace can extinguish its sovereignty or break its spirit.
She added, My prayers are with Iran and its resilient people as they face yet another act of aggression by Israel.
Security was increased throughout Srinagar, Budgam, and Bandipora, according to police authorities, with extra deployments in high-risk areas.
In several areas of the Valley, mobile internet services were momentarily discontinued during the day before being resumed at 2G speed.As a preventative measure to stop rumors from spreading, officials stated.
Such widespread protests over an international development broke out in several Kashmiri districts for the first time since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019.
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This led to a shutdown call, the closure of educational institutions, and temporary restrictions on internet services, highlighting the intensity of public sentiment as well as the administration’s concern over any possible fallout.
