Shia Muslims protest in Kashmir over deadly blast at Islamabad mosque

JAMMU: Hundreds of Shia Muslims on Saturday staged spontaneous protests in various parts of Kashmir to condemn a suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 169 others.

The attack took place during Friday prayers in Pakistan’s capital city. The attack on a Shia place of worship triggered strong reactions in Kashmir, with demonstrations reported in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Bandipora on Friday and Saturday.




In Magam town of central Kashmir, women protesters raised slogans against the Pakistani govt and denounced the targeting of Shia Muslims. Some demonstrators raised slogans in support of Syed Hassan Nasrallah, Palestine, and Hezbollah. The protests remained peaceful, with participants expressing solidarity with the victims in Pakistan.

“We stand with the victims and we are against the Pakistani govt,” one woman protester said, adding, “We want to ask the Pakistan govt why we are being killed.”

All J&K Shia Association Chinabal (Pattan) raised slogans against Pakistan on Friday evening and demanded immediate action against those responsible. They also raised pro-India slogans.

In the Sumbal area of Ganderbal district, protesters carrying the Indian tricolor raised anti-Pakistan govt slogans. “Our protest is against the Pakistani administration, which we believe is responsible for such killing,” another protester said. “Shia Muslims are targeted in Pakistan. It is painful to see Muslims being killed inside mosques during prayers. What kind of jihad is this?”

In Atoora, Baramulla, protesters carried posters of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They also raised slogans against Pakistan. Police said the demonstrations passed off peacefully.
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