Jammu and Kashmir Welcomes Iran Ceasefire Deal; Mufti, Mirwaiz Credit Pakistan’s Role
Srinagar: A two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran has ignited fresh calls for peace and dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (April 8) with some prominent voices applauding Pakistan's mediatory role in the landmark deal.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and influential cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq commended Islamabad's intervention, crediting Pakistan for playing a "central role" in brokering the ceasefire and pulling the world back from the brink of an all-out war. Mufti also called for a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve their “all outstanding issues”.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah also welcomed the cessation of hostilities in the Gulf region.
The ceasefire was brokered on Tuesday, in the sixth week since the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran which killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, his close family members and others, and triggered a wave of counter attacks by Tehran on their regional allies.
The news of the ceasefire agreement triggered celebrations in some Shia-dominated localities of Kashmir where youngsters reportedly burst crackers.
An eyewitness in Baramulla said that the elders in Delina locality were seen shaking hands and hugging each other on roads and in the market to celebrate the “resilience” and “victory” of Iran over the world’s most powerful country.
Similar scenes of celebrations and joy were reported from other Shia-majority areas of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Farooq Abdullah said that the implications of the war are being felt across the world while noting that hundreds of thousands of J&K residents were studying and working in the Gulf region.
“We want peace. We don’t want war. It is God’s will that a deal has been reached,” he said, skirting questions on the role of Pakistan in the mediation.
The National Conference (NC) president blamed the government of India for “unfortunately” choosing a “wrong” side at the onset of the war. “For ages we have been supporting the just cause of Palestine. Suddenly we have switched which doesn’t augur well for our nation”.
Asked about his advice to the Union government, the former J&K chief minister said that the “age of American power is over”.
“Who am I to make suggestions, but if India has to progress and move ahead, we have to extend the hand of friendship towards every country. Enmity (with neighbours) will push us backwards,” he said at a press conference in Srinagar, while naming China and Pakistan.
“Pakistan should leave terrorism and adopt the path of happiness and brotherhood,” senior Abdullah added.
Earlier in the day, chief minister Omar Abdullah also termed the conflict as an “unjust war”.
So the ceasefire allows a strait to reopen, a strait that was open & freely available to everyone to use before the war started. What exactly did this 39 day war achieve for the US? #UnjustWar
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 8, 2026
In a video message, Mirwaiz said that he appreciated the role of Islamabad and other countries who played a role in brokering the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US.
“People of Jammu and Kashmir welcome the agreement. We congratulate the people of Iran and their leadership for their patience and courage. We are hopeful that the agreement will open the doors of unity in the larger Muslim world which is the need of the hour,” he said.
The two week ceasefire announcement between Iran and the United States is a welcome step toward peace. It underscores restraint and dialogue takes precedence over confrontation for conflict resolution,and peace prevails over war.
The resilience and courage shown by the Iranian…
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 8, 2026
Speaking with reporters in Srinagar, Mufti said that the ceasefire agreement was happy news for all Muslims in the world, “The role of Pakistan can't be ignored. They played a central role. They have pulled the region and the entire world from the brink of an all-out war,” she said.
She added: “I think Pakistan should be appreciated for mediation but some leaders are mentally haunted by the ghost of Pakistan. I don’t know whether it (Islamabad’s role) will harm our country or not but Pakistan brought two big powers on a negotiating table. In the coming days, we should strive that our country and Pakistan sit down and resolve all their issues”.
Mufti said that the militaries of the US and Israel killed school children and targeted public infrastructure during the six-week war while Tehran restricted its attacks on military installations.
“Iran didn’t target schools or hospitals. A brave nation despite such tough times didn’t lose their sense of control makes them worthy of praise,” Mufti said, hoping that the temporary ceasefire will turn into a permanent peace agreement.
Referring to Pakistan’s role in the mediation, NC leader and Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government has damaged India’s “position and policies in the regional and global political sphere as well”.
Not too long ago, these statements would most likely come from Indian Prime Minister in this kind of situation involving the region. But, unfortunately, BJP’s Muslim hate policy has not only damaged our domestic political and social fabric, it has damaged India’s position and… https://t.co/uP08GXJ3rh
— Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) April 8, 2026
Quoting a post on X by the Islamic Republic’s embassy in India which declared “We Won”, All J&K Shia Association, one of the largest groups of Shia Muslims in the Union territory said: “Iran’s moment today echoes the legacy of Imam Hussain (AS) at Karbala, a reminder to the Muslim Ummah that faith, sacrifice & unity shape destiny. Allahu Akbar!!”
The association also urged people to avoid bursting firecrackers as the 40-day mourning period of former Supreme Leader Khamenei as per Islamic tenets was still underway. “In view of this solemn occasion, we should maintain respect, avoid such celebrations & observe restraint,” the association said.
This article went live on April eighth, two thousand twenty six, at fifty-two minutes past seven in the evening.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
