War in Mideast spurs Muslims in Indian-controlled Kashmir to collect donations for Iran, in photos

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — More than a thousand kilometers from the Iran war, Muslim residents in Indian-controlled Kashmir are collecting donations for Iranians: gold, cash, even utensils and livestock.

Community leaders and elders have set up stalls in this part of the disputed Himalayan region, which is overwhelmingly Muslim and split between India and Pakistan but coveted in its entirety by both. Young volunteers go door-to-door to collect contributions.

Women are donating their gold jewelry, bangles and earrings. Many households have offered their traditional copperware or livestock, and children have brought in their savings — some carrying piggy banks to collection points.

Some wealthier residents are sending cash to the Iranian Embassy’s relief account in New Delhi, set up earlier this month.

“My heart is with Iran, and I am offering my only pair of gold earrings,” said Shazia Batool, a young girl. “Sending help is the least we can do.”

Donations surged on Saturday, when Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Maqsood Ali, a volunteer, said that instead of focusing on just “feasts and family gatherings,” many turned the holiday into “something noble.”

Videos circulating on social media show Kashmir residents describing how they see helping Iranians as both a humanitarian and religious duty. The Iranian Embassy, in a social media post, thanked the people of Kashmir for their solidarity.

After the United States and Israel launched the war with Iran on Feb. 28, angry protests erupted across this part of Kashmir, where many, including the region's minority Shiites, have longstanding cultural and religious ties with Iran.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

A vehicle loaded with donated goods departs at the conclusion of a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A boy carries a plastic bag of donated items collected during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Shiite Muslim women wait to donate copper kitchenware during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

People walk past a van collecting donations for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A volunteer examines the authenticity of donated gold jewelry during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A girl donates a copper vessel during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A Shiite Muslim woman donates her ring during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A volunteer auctions a donated copper vessel to raise cash for a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A Shiite Muslim man prays as he arrives to contribute to a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A boy empties his piggy bank to donate his savings during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Personal jewelry and cheques are displayed among items collected during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Shiite Muslim women arrive carrying kitchenware to donate at a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Volunteers wait at a collection point during a donation drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A Shiite Muslim woman is overcome with emotion as she arrives to contribute to an Iranian donation drive in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A boy donates his toy scooter during a relief drive for Iran in Budgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, March 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

PHOENIX (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and tied a season high with 17 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets over the Phoenix Suns 125-123 on Tuesday night.

Jokic made the go-ahead basket, knocking down a 12-foot jumper with 11.5 seconds left. Phoenix's Devin Booker got a good look at a potential winning 3-pointer, but it bounced off the rim.

The Suns trailed 117-109 with 3:19 left, but methodically worked their way back. Booker made a tough jumper in the lane to tie the game at 123 with 30.2 seconds remaining. He had 22 points and eight assists.

Jokic had his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season by early in the third quarter. The three-time MVP shot 9 of 16 from the field and delivered several pinpoint passes, including one that went the full length of the court for a layup by Christian Braun.

The Nuggets have fought injuries for most of the season, but are now close to full strength. Jamal Murray had 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 off the bench.

Denver had a 10-point lead at halftime, but Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen made back-to-back 3s late in the third to help Phoenix cut the deficit to 97-95 heading into the fourth. Allen and Jalen Green both had 21 points.

The Nuggets have won six of their last eight games and are 1 1/2 games behind the Lakers for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

The sliding Suns have dropped six of seven and face an uphill battle to avoid the play-in tournament. They're currently the No. 7 team in the West.

Jokic — who picked up an early technical foul after heated comments toward referee Dannica Baroody — had 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists before the halftime break.

Nuggets: Host the Mavericks on Wednesday.

Suns: Host the Jazz on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) fouls Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown and forward Spencer Jones (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) drives on Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) shields the ball from Denver Nuggets guard/forward Bruce Brown during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)