Israel’s Military Escalation Against Iran Draws Strong Condemnation Across IIOJK

Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran have provoked intense outrage and widespread condemnation across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Political leaders, civil society figures, and religious organizations have universally decried the military action as an unprovoked act of aggression, branding it a dangerous escalation with the potential to destabilize not only the Middle East but global peace at large.

Prominent voices from the region have called the attack a reckless show of force, demanding immediate international intervention and highlighting the stark hypocrisy of global powers in selectively condemning aggression.

Leading the condemnation, senior APHC (All Parties Hurriyat Conference) leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticized Israel’s aggressive military actions, calling them deeply provocative and in direct violation of international norms. He referred to Israel as a “rogue state” that poses a serious threat to the stability of the entire Middle East and, by extension, global peace.

In a strongly worded statement, the Mirwaiz expressed profound grief and outrage over the reported deaths of Iranian civilians, including women and children, during the airstrikes. “After committing unspeakable atrocities against Palestinians for decades, Israel is now threatening sovereign nations with war-like aggression,” he said. “It is shocking that a country openly engages in military strikes, resulting in civilian deaths, yet continues to enjoy impunity on the international stage.”

He urged the United Nations and the global community, particularly influential Western powers, to act decisively and halt what he termed as Israel’s “unchecked militarism.” Mirwaiz warned that failure to restrain such actions could lead to a wider regional conflict with devastating global consequences.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah also condemned the Israeli attack, calling it “totally unjustified” and “a clear provocation that can spiral into wider conflict.” Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, he questioned the double standards of the international community, especially in comparison to how other conflicts are perceived.

“When Russia invaded Ukraine, the global outcry was swift and forceful. But when Israel launches airstrikes on Iran, killing civilians, we see dangerous silence,” he said. Abdullah emphasized that such selective outrage undermines the credibility of international diplomacy and fuels further instability.

He also expressed deep concern for the safety of Kashmiri students currently studying in various cities across Iran, urging the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to ensure their protection and facilitate necessary support amidst rising tensions in the region.

Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament and senior leader of the National Conference, issued a stinging rebuke of Israel’s military tactics, saying the country’s pattern of launching strikes across the Middle East reveals its true nature as a “colonial thug cloaked in victimhood.”

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Ruhullah condemned the Israeli government for “continuously destabilizing the region through brazen acts of aggression,” listing the countries it has recently targeted—including Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and now Iran.

“Israel presents itself as under threat, yet its air force is bombing sovereign nations with impunity. These are not defensive actions—they are calculated, imperial moves to enforce dominance in the region,” he wrote. He warned that such behavior threatens not just regional balance but the very foundation of international law and justice.

Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), added her voice to the growing chorus of criticism. She labeled the airstrikes a “brazen act of war” and decried the muted response from Western countries, particularly the United States and its allies, calling their silence both “disturbing and revealing.”

“Time and again, the West champions human rights and international law, but when it comes to Israel, those values are conveniently ignored,” she said in a post. Mufti called this selective morality a form of complicity and accused Western powers of enabling Israel’s violations through continued diplomatic and military support.

She also didn’t spare the Muslim-majority nations, accusing them of betraying the very values they claim to uphold. “Where is the collective voice of the Muslim world? Why is there no unified stance against this latest aggression? Their silence is not just disappointing—it is disgraceful,” Mufti remarked.

Beyond political leaders, various civil society organizations and religious scholars in IIOJK also expressed grave concern over Israel’s actions. Protests were held in several areas, with demonstrators carrying placards denouncing Israeli violence and urging global institutions to intervene.

Many fear that such escalations could lead to a full-scale regional conflict, drawing in multiple countries and exacerbating existing tensions in the already volatile Middle East.

“We are witnessing a dangerous shift in global politics where military might is replacing diplomacy. If Israel’s actions go unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent for other nations to follow,” said Professor Zahoor Ahmad, a political analyst based in Srinagar.

The overarching sentiment in IIOJK is one of deep disappointment with the international community’s failure to uphold justice and human rights in the face of repeated Israeli aggression. Leaders have collectively urged the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other global institutions to break their silence and act firmly against Israel’s violation of international norms.

As the region watches with increasing concern, Kashmir’s leaders have sent a united message: there can be no peace without justice, and no stability when one nation is allowed to operate above international law.