Mobile internet speed restricted in Kashmir following protests over Khamenei's killing

• High-speed mobile internet curbed in Kashmir after protests
• Protests erupted over reports of Khamenei's death in airstrike
• Police urged media to avoid unverified or sensational reporting

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Authorities on Monday curtailed high-speed mobile internet services across the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure following spontaneous protests against the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, official sources said.

The demonstrations erupted after Iranian state media confirmed on Sunday that the 85-year-old leader was killed in an airstrike in Tehran a day earlier. Reports describing it as a joint Israel-United States operation have ignited waves of mourning and outrage in several parts of the world, including India.

According to reports, the protests were particularly pronounced in areas with significant Shia populations. Witnesses reported processions in Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama, where protesters were seen beating their chests — a traditional gesture of mourning — while raising slogans against the US and Israel.

In response to the situation, the administration throttled high-speed mobile internet services across all networks in the valley, a move officials confirmed was aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing the spread of misinformation.

Concurrently, the police issued an advisory urging media organisations and news platforms to exercise the "highest level of responsibility and professionalism" in their coverage of events, PTI reported. The directive, released to news outlets, explicitly asked them to refrain from publishing unverified information, speculation or rumours.

"Ensure that all reports are confirmed through credible and authoritative sources before dissemination; and avoid sensational headlines that may create unnecessary panic," the advisory stated.

Emphasising the critical role of the media during sensitive periods, the police added that responsible and accurate reporting is essential to maintaining public trust and preventing the proliferation of misinformation. The region, home to an estimated 1.5 million Shia Muslims, remained peaceful but tense under the communication curbs.