A sombre mood has descended on Alipura village in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the ongoing US–Israel conflict.

Located around 70 kilometres from Bengaluru, Alipura is home to a predominantly Shia population. Residents gathered on Sunday for special prayers, with many visibly emotional as they paid tribute to the leader they regard with deep respect and reverence.

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Villagers recalled that Khamenei had visited Alipura in 1986 at the invitation of local community members. That visit, they said, forged a lasting bond between the village and Iran. Over the years, several families from Alipura have maintained close ties with Iran, with some residents moving there for higher education and employment opportunities.

As a mark of tribute, the village has announced a three-day mourning period. A local hospital named in honour of Khamenei stands as a reminder of the connection the community says it has shared with him for nearly four decades. The mourning period will continue until Tuesday.