The Kashmir Valley witnessed widespread protests across several districts in recent days following a deadly suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. The attack, which occurred shortly after Friday prayers, left at least 31 people dead and more than 150 injured, triggering strong reactions from the Shia community in the region.
Demonstrations were reported from Srinagar and several districts of North Kashmir, including Baramulla and Bandipora. Protesters, including men and women, raised slogans against the Pakistani government, condemning what they described as continued violence against Shia Muslims in Pakistan and expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
Participants accused Islamabad of failing to ensure the safety of its Shia population and alleged a lack of accountability for repeated attacks on religious minorities. The All Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association demanded strict action against those responsible for the bombing and called for international attention to the issue.
One protester, Abbas Ali, described the attack as inhuman and deeply disturbing, stating that civilians were targeted inside a place of worship. He said such incidents continue to occur in Pakistan without effective preventive measures, urging the authorities there to take decisive action against those responsible.
A Shia religious scholar echoed similar concerns, calling the incident a major tragedy and alleging that assurances given by the Pakistani government after past attacks had failed to translate into meaningful action.
Protests were also reported from Ganderbal in Central Kashmir, where demonstrators carried the Indian national flag and chanted slogans against the Pakistani government. Many expressed anguish over worshippers being killed inside mosques during prayers.
In Baramulla district, protesters held peaceful demonstrations, with some carrying posters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while condemning the attack and denouncing violence against the Shia community.
Political leaders across parties condemned the blast. Farooq Abdullah, president of the National Conference, described the incident as a cowardly and heinous act. He said it was deeply disturbing that people were no longer safe even inside mosques, adding that such violence reflects a moral decline and growing intolerance in many societies.
Senior BJP leader Ashok Koul also condemned the attack, calling it an act of brutality against innocent worshippers. He said targeting civilians and religious places exposes the growing menace of terrorism in Pakistan and the failure of the state to protect its people.
Koul added that Pakistan’s long history of promoting terrorism had begun to backfire, urging strong condemnation of such attacks.
Similar protests were held in Kargil, which has a majority Shia population. Hundreds of people participated in a large but peaceful rally, voicing anger over repeated attacks on Shia Muslims in Pakistan. Authorities confirmed that demonstrations across Kashmir and Ladakh remained largely peaceful.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
