J&K leaders condemn Khamenei’s assassination in US-Israel strike
Said it has sent shockwaves across the Muslim world
Political and religious leaders across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in what they described as a “barbaric” US-Israel strike. The incident, they said, has sent shockwaves across the Muslim world and heightened tensions in the Gulf region.
National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah expressed “profound anguish” over what he described as a tragic and destabilising development with serious implications for regional peace and stability. According to a party statement, Abdullah said such incidents deepen uncertainty and grief and underscored the urgent need for wisdom, restraint and adherence to the principles of justice and international law.
He appealed for calm and urged authorities to handle the situation with sensitivity, ensuring that those wishing to mourn are able to do so respectfully while maintaining public order.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti termed the development a “deeply tragic and shameful point in history.” In a post on X, she wrote: “Today marks a deeply tragic & shameful point in history with Israel & USA boasting about the killing of Iran’s beloved leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. What’s more disgraceful & shocking is the explicit & implicit support given by Muslim countries who chose convenience & expedience over conscience.”
She added that history would stand testament to who fought for justice and who sided with the “oppressors.”
Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohammad Haneefa Jan, expressed profound grief, describing Khamenei as his “beloved spiritual leader.” In a statement, he said: “I am shattered and overwhelmed with grief at the martyrdom of Ayatollah Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei. His life was a beacon of unwavering faith, sacrifice, and fearless guidance that shaped my convictions and gave hope to millions.”
Jan condemned the strike, calling it “not only an attack on a revered leader but on justice, dignity and the conscience of humanity itself.”
Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said he was “deeply saddened and outraged” at the killing, which he said has “shaken the Muslim world.” He stated that the people of J&K collectively condemn the attack and the ongoing aggression against Iran. “In this hour of immense sorrow, our hearts beat with the resilient people of Iran,” he said.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Kargil), Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, also denounced the strike. “To target a man who spent his entire life in the service of faith and humanity is an act of the deepest cowardice. The world must speak with one voice against such barbarism,” he said.
People’s Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone described the killing as “extremely sad and brutal.” In a statement, he said: “The developments in Iran and the Gulf region are distressing to say the least. And extremely sad and brutal is the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei. I pray for peace in Iran and the Gulf region. May peace prevail. And may Allah grant patience to those who are in a state of mourning.”
