Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – In a significant political move, Mehbooba Mufti, the Chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), announced the cancellation of her campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections scheduled for Sunday, in protest against the killing of Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah. The announcement came after Hezbollah confirmed that Nasrallah, one of its founders, lost his life in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday evening.
Mufti made her announcement on the social media platform X, expressing solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinian communities. “Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasrallah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance,” she wrote. The sentiment resonated widely, triggering protests across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, where crowds took to the streets to condemn the airstrike that resulted in Nasrallah's death. In Budgam, a protest march saw a large turnout, including many women and children, who held portraits of the slain Hezbollah leader.
Similar demonstrations unfolded in Srinagar’s old city and various other locations throughout the state. Both Israel and Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death, marking a significant blow to the militant group engaged in ongoing conflict with Israel. This escalation follows a series of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that have resulted in over 800 deaths and widespread displacement, exacerbating an already tense situation in the region.
The conflict has intensified following Hezbollah's recent rocket attacks into Israel, which were reportedly in retaliation for the detonation of devices used by the group. The violence escalated after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, further complicating the political landscape in both Lebanon and Palestine. As the situation continues to develop, Mehbooba Mufti’s decision to suspend her campaign highlights the intersection of local politics and international conflict, as citizens grapple with the implications of global events on their community.