The Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a preliminary inquiry after a cricketer from Pulwama was spotted wearing a helmet adorned with the Palestinian flag during a cricket match in Jammu. This incident has attracted significant attention both locally and online, particularly after videos of the player surfaced on social media.
The player has been identified as Furqan Ul Haq, a resident of Tangipuna in Pulwama district. He was competing in the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League, a privately organized cricket tournament in Jammu. Clips circulating online show Furqan wearing the helmet with the Palestine insignia while playing at the K C Door ground in Muthi last Thursday.
A police spokesperson stated that the inquiry is a response to the sensitivity of the issue and its potential impact on public order. A fourteen-day preliminary inquiry has been initiated at Domana Police Station under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. The investigation will aim to understand the context, intent, and any affiliations related to the incident.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) distanced itself from the tournament, clarifying that it had no involvement with the event, which is not recognized by the official cricketing body of the Union Territory. Officials emphasized that the JKCA is responsible only for tournaments and matches that fall under its jurisdiction, stating that the Champions League operates independently.
This controversy emerges just two months after another private cricket event in the region sparked outrage. The Indian Heaven Premier League, held in Srinagar, was abruptly halted when its organizers reportedly vanished on November 1, allegedly defrauding players, broadcasters, and hotel owners. The league began on October 25 at Bakshi Stadium, featuring prominent international players such as Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill, and Thisara Perera. However, it collapsed after only twelve of the planned twenty-seven matches were completed, leaving approximately sixty players, including former Indian stars like Parvez Rasool, Praveen Kumar, and Iqbal Abdullah, as well as match officials and ground staff, unpaid and stranded.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/helmet-with-palestinian-flag-triggers-police-investigation-in-jk-local-tournament-13964766.html
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2026-01-02 12:41:00
