SRINAGAR, INDIAN-OCCUPIED KASHMIR: People burst firecrackers in Srinagar in Indian-occupied Kashmir and other towns to express their joy as soon as Pakistan gave a thrashing defeat to India in ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval in England, tonight, reported Kashmir Media Service.
Joy was palpable in Srinagar and all other areas as youth came out of their homes to celebrate Pakistan’s victory. Markets and transport in Srinagar and all other towns had shut much before the match started between Pakistan and India.
Reports of celebrations were received from all the districts of the Kashmir Valley. Pakistan defeated India by a huge margin of 180 runs in the final.
Kashmiri leader and Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also confirmed the news of celebration in IOK before Indian authorities pushed to ban internet services.
“Fireworks all around, feels like an early Eid here. Better team took the day. Congratulations team #Pakistan,” he said on Twitter.
Fireworks all around, feels like an early Eid here. Better team took the day. Congratulations team #Pakistan
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) June 18, 2017
Restrictions on movement of people were imposed in several areas in Srinagar’s Old City although the separatists have not called any shutdown or protest. The area has always been a hotbed of pro-Pakistan sentiments.
Tensions run high in the Kashmir Valley whenever India and Pakistan meet each other in a sporting event. But given the present volatile law and order situation, authorities feared an adverse effect on the ground.
