Mehbooba Mufti Suspends J&K Poll Campaign To Protest Israel’s Killing Of Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti canceled her election campaign for the final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections on Sunday, September 29, in protest against the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah by Israel. Nasrallah, leader of the militant group in Lebanon, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. Hezbollah confirmed his death on Saturday, following Israel's declaration that "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world."

Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, announced her decision on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her party's solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon.

"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," Mufti tweeted.

Protests against Nasrallah's killing have been called for in parts of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Escalating Middle East Tensions

The Middle East is on the brink of a full-scale war as Israel and Lebanon have engaged in ongoing attacks and counterattacks in recent weeks. The killing of Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, could mark a significant turning point in the conflict.

Following the announcement of Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV aired Quranic verses, and the group stated that Nasrallah had "joined his fellow martyrs."

Israel's attack on Friday, which targeted Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut, was one of its most intense in the ongoing conflict. Fears are mounting that the violence could spiral out of control, drawing in Iran, Hezbollah's primary backer, and the United States.

Thousands of people have fled Beirut since the strike, seeking refuge in public spaces and coastal areas. Despite the escalation, a senior Israeli official expressed hope that a ground invasion of Lebanon would not be necessary.