kashmir-strike-AFP-670
Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard in front of shuttered shops during a one day strike in Srinagar on May 21, 2012. — Photo by AFP

SRINAGAR: An annual strike called by separatists in Indian-administered Kashmir has shuttered shops and businesses to mark a Muslim cleric's assassination 22 years ago.

The cleric, Mirwaiz Mohammed Farooq, had argued for the Himalayan territory's right to vote on whether it should be independent or governed by India or Pakistan.

Separatists say they're also honouring separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone, who was gunned down on the anniversary in 2002.

Officials say they've imposed restrictions on people's movement within the main city of Srinagar in hopes of preventing a separatist rally Monday.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the region claimed by both India and Pakistan and split by a heavily militarised line of control between the two countries.

Opinion

Editorial

Iran’s resilience
Updated 05 Jul, 2026

Iran’s resilience

THE funeral ceremonies for Iran’s assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members, which...
The annual test
05 Jul, 2026

The annual test

PAKISTAN enters another monsoon season with little room for complacency. Last year’s rains claimed more than 1,000...
Dangerous syringes
05 Jul, 2026

Dangerous syringes

INNOCENCE stands overwhelmed by another health emergency. The HIV crisis, beyond surging statistics — over 350,000...
Agri-tax failure
Updated 04 Jul, 2026

Agri-tax failure

THE first year of Pakistan’s unified agriculture income tax regime has produced an outcome that should surprise no...
Deadly roads
04 Jul, 2026

Deadly roads

THE horrific bus crash at the Balochistan-KP border on Friday should prompt greater scrutiny of road safety ...
Terrorism numbers
04 Jul, 2026

Terrorism numbers

AS Pakistan continues to grapple with the menace of militancy, the number of terrorist attacks present a mixed...