Protests Erupt in J&K After Hezbollah Chief’s Killing, Mehbooba Mufti Calls Him Martyr

Srinagar: Protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday following the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon.

A large protest march was held in Budgam where demonstrators, including women and children, carried portraits of the Hezbollah leader.

Similar protests took place in Srinagar’s old city and other parts of the region after Nasrallah’s killing was confirmed by both Israel and Hezbollah. The 64-year-old leader’s death is seen as a massive blow to the Iran-backed group engaged in armed conflict with Israel.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti announced that her party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would suspend its Assembly election campaign on Sunday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Gaza. She tweeted, “Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasrallah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance.”

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 28, 2024

In addition to Nasrallah, senior Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan and Hezbollah’s Southern Front commander Ali Karaki were also killed in the Israeli strike. Nasrallah’s daughter, Zainab Nasrallah, was reportedly among those who died.

The Israeli airstrikes have caused widespread devastation in Lebanon, with over 800 deaths and thousands displaced. The escalation followed Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel, which intensified after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. Israel continues its offensive in Gaza and Lebanon.