Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Condemns Attacks on Kashmiris, Urges Authorities to Ensure Safety

SRINAGAR | Jan 30, 2026

Moderate separatist leader and valley’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday voiced concern over recent attacks on Kashmiris and called on authorities to ensure their safety outside Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz expressed deep anguish over the brutal assault on 18-year-old Kashmiri shawl vendor Tabish and his brother Danish in Uttarakhand’s Vikas Nagar area, where they were reportedly beaten with iron rods, sustaining grievous injuries.

“This incident highlights a disturbing pattern of communal profiling and hostility faced by ordinary Kashmiris living or traveling outside the valley,” he said, urging immediate action to protect Kashmiris and prevent further violence.

Mirwaiz’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the safety of people from the region in other parts of the country, calling for stronger law enforcement and social vigilance to curb targeted attacks.