Areesh
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SRINAGAR: A day before, India celebrates its freedom, Pakistan observes August 14 as their Independence Day. On its 69th Independence Day today, the flags of the neighboring country were seen being raised in the old city of Srinagar that is likely to raise tensions in the Kashmir valley.
Reports suggest that the waving of Pakistani flags along with the flags of the Islamic State (ISIS) has become a common practice in the restive areas of Kashmir valley every Friday.
Expecting some law and order issues in the state, the authorities had already imposed restrictions on the celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day in different regions of Srinagar today.
According to the reports, authorities are categorically keeping a watch on the separatist leaders and have reportedly placed Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under a house arrest. (Also Read: ‘I am not an Indian by birth, but by compulsion’: Kashmiri separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani sparks another row)
In the mean while, separatist leader Asita Andrabi was also spotted Pakistani flags in the Kashmir valley.
This is not the first time that such an incident has been reported in the state that has often seen violence particularly on Fridays after the prayers. (Also Read: 'Khalistan Zindabad', Sikh protesters chant in Jammu. Why is this fight escalating in the violence-hit-state?)
While Pakistani flags have continuously been waved and reappeared in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, ISIS flags being waved in Srinagar by the separatist leaders’ supporters are something escalating tensions for the Indian government.
Followers of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were spotted waving the flags of Islamic State in Jama Masjid, Srinagar.
Commenting on the waving of the Pakistani flags, Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had earlier stated that this practice is nothing new as the Pakistani flags are being waved in Kashmir since 1947.
“Pakistani flags have been waved in Kashmir since 1947 and In Sha Allah (God willing) will be waved in future also as Pakistan is not only our neighbor, but also a well wisher.” The separatist leader further added that the Kashmiris did not wish bad for Indians either but certainly love Pakistan as the border country ‘is supporting the right of self determination to Kashmir’. (Also Read: Pakistani flags have been waved since 1947. This will continue in Kashmir as Pakistan is our well-wisher, says separatist leader Geelani)
NewsX | On their Independence Day, Pakistani flags waved in Jammu and Kashmir