Jammu: Hundreds of Shia Muslims held spontaneous protests across Kashmir on Saturday to condemn the suicide bombing at the Kadijatul Kubra Masjid in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people and injured over 169 others.The attack occurred during Friday prayers in the Pakistani capital. The attacks on Shia places of worship triggered a backlash in Kashmir, with demonstrations reported in Srinagar, Baramulla and Bandipora on Friday and Saturday.
In the central Kashmir town of Magam, female protesters raised slogans against the Pakistani government and condemned attacks on Shiite Muslims. Some demonstrators raised slogans in support of Said Hassan Nasrallah, Palestine and Hezbollah. The protests remained peaceful, with participants expressing solidarity with victims in Pakistan.“We stand with the victims and we are against the Pakistani government,” one female protester said. “We want to ask the Pakistani government why we were killed,” she added.On Friday night, all J&K Shia Association Chinabal (Patan) raised slogans against Pakistan and demanded immediate action against the culprits. They also raised pro-India slogans.Protesters held Indian tricolor flags and raised slogans against the Pakistan government in Sombal area of Ganderbal district. “Our protest is against the Pakistani government, which we hold responsible for such killings,” said another protester. “Shia Muslims are being targeted in Pakistan. It is painful to see Muslims being killed in mosques during prayers. What kind of jihad is this?”Protesters hold posters of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Atura in Baramulla. They also raised slogans against Pakistan. Police said the demonstration ended peacefully.
