Farooq, Azad, Mehbooba, Altaf Bukhari, Sajad, Tarigami term Khamenei's killing tragic
Srinagar, Mar 1: Three former chief ministers and a former minister voiced strong reactions to the killing of Iranís Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike, calling it a deeply destabilising and tragic development with global repercussions.
Three-time chief minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah warned of destabilising fallout.
He expressed ìprofound anguishî over the assassination, describing it as a grave and destabilising act with serious implications for regional and global peace.
Abdullah strongly denounced the strike, saying such incidents deepen uncertainty and grief while undermining international stability.
He underscored the urgent need for wisdom, restraint, and adherence to the principles of justice and international law.
Appealing for calm, Abdullah urged the administration to handle the situation with sensitivity and discretion, ensuring that those who wish to mourn are able to do so respectfully, without fear or undue restrictions, while maintaining public order.
Former chief minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad called for diplomacy amid escalating conflict.
He voiced deep concern over the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East.
ìRecent events in the Middle East are deeply worrying. I am following the conflict with grave concern, particularly for the civilians caught in the crossfire. This is a time for restraint and responsibility,î Azad said in a post on X.
He stressed that all sides must return to diplomacy and avoid further escalation. ìDialogue remains the only credible way forward. I sincerely hope cooler heads prevail to prevent further suffering and to safeguard stability in an already fragile region,î Azad said.
Former chief minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba termed the killing ëdeeply tragic and shamefulí
She described the killing as a ìdeeply tragic and shameful point in historyî.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said the US and Israel ìboastingî about the killing of Iranís ìbeloved leaderî marked a dark day.
She criticised what she termed the explicit and implicit support extended by some Muslim countries.
ìWhatís more disgraceful and shocking is the explicit and implicit support given by Muslim countries who chose convenience and expedience over conscience,î Mehbooba said, adding that history would bear witness to who stood for justice and who aided oppression.
She also extended support to the shutdown call issued by the Muttehida Majlis Ulema (MMU) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, calling it a day of mourning to remind the world that injustice anywhere wounds the entire Muslim Ummah and all who stand for truth.
Apni Party President and former minister Altaf Bukhari chaired a condolence and special prayer meeting in Srinagar to mourn Khameneiís death.
The Apni Party leaders gathered to express deep sorrow over what they described as a brutal US-Israel attack on Iran.
They paid tribute to Khamenei as a revered and towering figure and condemned what they termed blatant aggression against the Islamic Republic.
In a message posted on X, Bukhari said he mourned the ìmartyrdomî of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing him as an extraordinarily brave leader whose courage and conviction shaped his nation and inspired millions.
ìThe void created by his death will not be easily filled,î he said.
Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone, also voiced profound grief and deep anguish over the rapidly escalating and volatile situation in Iran and the wider Gulf region that led to the killing Khamenei.
Lone described the unfolding developments as deeply distressing and tragic, terming the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader as an act that has intensified uncertainty and sorrow across the region.
ìThe developments in Iran and the Gulf region are distressing to say the least. And extremely sad and brutal is the killing of Iranís 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,î he said.
Lone also raised serious concern over the fate of thousands of families anxiously awaiting the safe return of their loved ones stranded in conflict-affected zones.
He emphasised the emotional turmoil faced by these families amid growing instability.
ìThese are extremely disturbing times with families worried about their loved ones stuck in countries overtaken by conflict. Hope they all return their home unharmed,î Lone said.
CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami said that the US-Israel "savagery" had reached its extreme.
"Killing of Iranís Supreme Leader in a barbaric attack is absolutely reprehensible. It has drowned people across J&K in grief. Appealing to all communities to stand together in solidarity and uphold harmony," he posted on X.
