Shia groups hold mourning meet near Bengaluru after Ayatollah Khamenei’s death
Bengaluru: Leaders and members of the Shia community gathered in Alipur village on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday to mourn the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announced a three-day period of mourning.
According to community representatives quoted by The Observer Post, prayers were offered in remembrance of Khamenei. Black flags were hoisted in the village as residents assembled to pay their respects. Speakers at the gathering condemned the reported joint strikes by the United States and Israel that led to his death, describing the development as concerning for Shia Muslims.
The confirmation of Khamenei’s death reportedly came during the intervening night of February 28 and March 1, after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed the killing. The United States and Israel said they had carried out pre-emptive strikes on multiple locations in Iran, including Tehran. Israel named its military action Operation Lion’s Roar, while the United States termed its campaign Operation Epic Fury.
Following the development, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi lowered its flag to half-mast and issued a statement calling upon governments around the world to condemn the attack. The statement added that Iran would continue on its chosen path and warned of consequences for those responsible.
Mourning meetings and protests were also reported from parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Lucknow. The Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association expressed grief over Khamenei’s death and offered prayers for the people of Iran.
Speaking to reporters, Shia community leader Syed Samar Kazmi criticised the strike and alleged that Khamenei had been targeted for raising international issues, including Palestine. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, Chairman of the Islamic Centre of India, also condemned the attack and appealed for restraint, calling for international efforts to prevent further escalation.
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PUC student killed in elephant attack in Kodagu’s Madikeri taluk
Madikeri: A 17-year-old Pre-University College student was killed in a wild elephant attack at Bettathuru village in Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district on Saturday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Pooja, daughter of Girish. She was a student of St Michael’s College in Madikeri.
According to local residents, Pooja was returning to her village by bus and had alighted near her stop. The incident occurred when she was walking towards her house, which is located about 100 metres from the forest fringe. A wild elephant is said to have suddenly emerged and attacked her, inflicting severe injuries.
She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries on the way, sources cited by The Hindu said.
Residents of Bettathuru alleged that they had repeatedly informed the Forest Department about the frequent movement of wild elephants in the area. They claimed that despite prior representations, adequate preventive measures had not been taken to ensure the safety of villagers.
