Amid ongoing pro-Iran, anti-Israel, and anti-United States demonstrations in different parts of the Valley following reports of the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Education Minister of the Union Territory announced the closure of all educational institutions in Kashmir for two days.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo said that, in order to ensure the safety of students, the government has decided to shut schools and all higher educational institutions as a precautionary measure.
“We have decided to keep schools, colleges, and universities closed for two days,” Minister Itoo said.
She further stated that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will make a decision on reopening educational institutions only after assessing the ground situation.
Following reports of the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in alleged joint US-Israeli strikes, widespread protests erupted across parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, schools up to Class 8 were scheduled to reopen on Monday after a winter break of more than two months.
Earlier, on February 23, schools for Classes 9 to 12 had resumed academic activities in the Kashmir division and winter zones of the Jammu division following a winter break of over 70 days.
The government had ordered winter vacations for students of Class 9 and above from December 11, 2025, to February 22, 2026.
Omar calls for calm
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday appealed to all communities to remain peaceful and exercise restraint amid ongoing developments in Iran, including reports regarding the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement shared on X, the Office of the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir expressed concern over the situation and urged the public to avoid actions that could spark tension or disturb communal harmony.
I’m deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest.
We must also ensure that…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 1, 2026
The Chief Minister said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration is coordinating closely with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety of residents from the region, particularly students currently in Iran.
He added that the government is closely tracking the situation and remains committed to protecting the interests and well-being of JK residents.
Senior officers monitor situation on ground
In view of ongoing pro-Iran, anti-Israel, and anti-United States demonstrations across parts of Kashmir following recent geopolitical developments, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi, reviewed the situation on the ground.
Both senior officials, accompanied by SSP Srinagar and representatives of various security agencies, were deployed in sensitive areas to ensure peace and public safety, officials said on Sunday.
According to details, peaceful protests were reported in different areas of the Valley, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with Iran and opposing military actions by the US and Israel.
Authorities emphasized maintaining law and order while allowing peaceful expression. Security forces have been positioned across sensitive localities as a precautionary measure.
The security deployment aims to maintain a secure environment, prevent any untoward incidents, and facilitate the smooth movement of citizens amid the demonstrations.
Police reiterated their commitment to maintaining communal harmony and stressed that any actions likely to cause tension or unrest would be dealt with firmly as per the law.
Police issue advisory, warn against rumour-mongering
Baramulla and Budgam Police on Sunday issued advisories urging media houses, journalists, social media users, and digital platforms to exercise utmost responsibility while reporting and sharing information amid the prevailing situation.
In separate statements, District Police Baramulla and Budgam Police cautioned that any news related to law and order or public gatherings must be verified through official and credible sources before publication or broadcast. They warned that the circulation of rumours, unverified reports, or speculative content could create unnecessary panic and disturb public peace.
According to statements issued through the police media cell, authorities stressed that responsible reporting and information sharing are essential to maintaining peace and harmony in the districts.
The police appealed to the media fraternity to refrain from sensationalism and rely strictly on official updates for accurate dissemination of information. Citizens were also urged to cooperate with authorities and contribute positively towards ensuring a calm and orderly environment.
Both district police units warned that any individual or entity found involved in spreading misinformation or rumours would face strict legal action as per the law.
The advisories come amid what police described as a sensitive situation, prompting authorities to call for restraint and verification before sharing information.
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