On the first day of Ramadan, authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir imposed a strict curfew across most of the region in response to violence following the death of Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, a senior leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen group. Bhat was killed in a gun battle with Indian security forces on 6 May 2017 in his hometown of Tral. His death led to widespread protests, with clashes between security forces and civilians resulting in one civilian death and dozens of injuries.
Despite the curfew, thousands defied the lockdown to attend Bhat's funeral, chanting anti-India and pro-independence slogans. People traveled on foot and took alternate routes to reach Tral, where the funeral took place.
The security lockdown disrupted daily life, with barricades erected in Srinagar and other cities. The central mosque in Srinagar was closed, and Muslims were prevented from offering prayers on the first day of Ramadan. Additionally, authorities cut mobile phone and internet services, citing security concerns and the need to prevent protests.
The region has long been the center of conflict between India and Pakistan, both of which claim Kashmir in its entirety. Anti-India sentiments run deep in the valley, with many locals calling for either independence or a merger with Pakistan. The ongoing insurgency has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people, predominantly civilians, over nearly three decades of fighting.