People gather to attend a funeral for victims of an explosion at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, on February 7, 2026. | Photo credit: Reuters
Street demonstrations, mainly by Shia Muslims, took place in parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday (February 7, 2026) to condemn the killing of 31 Shia worshipers at a mosque in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday (February 6, 2026).
Angry demonstrations have been witnessed since Friday evening in parts of Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Jammu. Several protesters raised anti-Pakistan slogans, including “down with Pakistan”, in Baramulla’s Pattan and Bandipora’s Shadipora areas, which have a sizeable population of Shia Muslims.
“At a time when Muslims around the world are under attack, Shia Muslims are under attack in Pakistan. What could be more shameful and reprehensible?” said a protester in Pattan.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric in Kashmir, condemned the attack. “The heinous suicide bombing at an imambargah (Shia congregation hall) in Islamabad, Pakistan is deeply painful and strongly condemnable. Bloodshed in such a way that even in a place of worship is deeply disheartening and disturbing, a moment of deep pain and reflection for the ummah (Muslim community),” he said.
Aga Syed Hassan al-Mousavi al-Safvi, president of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian J&K, called the attack in Islamabad a “barbaric attack on the basic principles of Islam and humanity”. “We demand immediate and decisive action from the Pakistani state to protect its Shiite citizens,” Mr al-Safvi said.
A spokesman for the All J&K Shia Association, led by Shia cleric and J&K Peoples Conference leader Imran Ansari, said it had staged protests “to condemn Pakistan for the brutal blast at Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra, Tarlai, Islamabad and demanded immediate action against those responsible”.
Masroor Ansari, a Shia cleric who heads the Ittihadul Muslimeen, said he strongly opposed “such acts of violence”.
At least 31 worshipers were killed and over 100 injured in a suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in Islamabad.
Published – 07 Feb 2026 19:33 IST