Kashmir schools, colleges shut till weekend amid pro-Khamenei protests

All schools and colleges across the Kashmir division will remain closed till the weekend, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced, citing widespread protests following the killing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Authorities described the move as a precautionary step to maintain public order amid escalating demonstrations in the Valley.

The shutdown was ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir Education Ministry as protests intensified in several districts after reports of Khamenei’s assassination earlier this week. Officials said the decision was taken to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure student safety as tensions continued to simmer.

The University of Kashmir has postponed all examinations scheduled for the week, advising students to rely only on official communication for updates on revised dates. Fresh notifications regarding academic schedules will be issued in due course, authorities said.

Security has been tightened across Srinagar, with key locations such as Lal Chowk and the Ghanta Ghar sealed to prevent gatherings. Additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, while high-speed mobile internet services remain suspended across the Valley, with access restricted to 2G speeds as a preventive measure.

Police have also initiated action against certain political leaders for allegedly sharing unverified content online. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for restraint, urging that people be allowed to mourn peacefully while maintaining law and order. Officials said the restrictions would remain in place as long as necessary, with further decisions to be announced based on the evolving situation.