As soon as Pakistan won the ICC’s Champions Trophy final by crushing India at the Oval, England on Sunday evening, Kashmir erupted in joy, with youth across the Valley hitting the streets to celebrate the Pakistan team’s win. During the celebrations, two youth were injured in alleged firing by government forces in Downtown Srinagar, reports said.
A witness said youth took to streets at Nowhata, Rajouri Kadal, Hawal, Saraf Kadal, Habba Kadal and Nawab Bazaar and other areas of Downtown amid pro-freedom and pro-Pakistan slogans and burst countless crackers. The witness said government forces fired pellets to disperse youth in old city. “Kaiser Ahmed, 25, was hit by pellets on his head and back at Dalal Mohalla, Nawabazar. He was rushed to SMHS hospital,” he said.
Another youth identified as Imtiyaz Ahmed, who was traveling on a bike from Gole Market to Lal Chowk, to join celebrations was allegedly beaten by government forces to pulp. “He has fractures and it seems he was beaten with a cane,” sources said.
When contacted, a police official said they “exercised maximum restraint” after youth hit streets to celebrate Pakistan’s win over India. “We didn’t fire pellets anywhere,” he claimed
Another witness said scores of youth gathered at Jamia Masjid Nowhata and burst firecrackers as part of celebrations.
“Hundreds of youth went to Nigeen residence of All Party Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, prompting him to wave at the jubilant youth from the wall of his house,” he said.
Reports said scores of youth appeared in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Bandipora towns and burst crackers to celebrate Pakistan’s win over their arch rivals India in the ICC cricket tournament after a span of nearly 25 years.
Reports of youth celebrating Pakistan win were received from south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Tral, Pulwama and Shopian towns. “Youth took out a bike rally in old Anantnag town to celebrate the win,” said a witness.
He said: “Militants also appeared at some places in south Kashmir and fired aerial shots after Pakistan won the final cricket match.”
Reports about youth bursting firecrackers came in from Kangan and Ganderbal towns in central Kashmir. In uptown Srinagar, youth expressed their joy by bursting fire crackers at Alochibagh, Tatoo ground, Barzulla, Rawalpora, Rangreth and other adjoining areas.
Bursting of crackers in different areas was on when this report was filed.
Meanwhile, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani congratulated Pakistan team for defeating Indian team in the Champions Trophy final which was played at Oval, London, tonight.
The APHC (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar quoting Geelani said: “Hurriyat congratulates Pakistan team for defeating India in final of Champions Trophy.”
“We also congratulate Pakistan nation at this moment of celebration,” he said.
