Clashes broke out in Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region of India, just a day after tens of thousands participated in peaceful protests against U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. In response, local authorities closed schools and colleges for two days and restricted movement by barricading major roads, citing safety concerns.

The unrest was ignited when a coalition of Muslim organizations, led by the region's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, called for a strike. This action prompted clashes between demonstrators and security forces, particularly when protesters attempted to march towards the main Srinagar square, which was completely sealed off by law enforcement. The protests were not limited to Srinagar but also occurred in various parts of the Kashmir Valley, highlighting widespread discontent in the region.

Demonstrators rallied against the perceived aggression from the U.S. and Israel and carried portraits of Khamenei, the slain Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, and Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah. The protests reflect deep political and religious sentiments among the local population regarding international conflicts, and the government's crackdown may raise tensions further in an already volatile region.