Mehbooba Mufti backs Kashmiri cricketer wearing Palestinian flag, police order enquiry
Jammu: People’s Democratic Party president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday publicly backed a South Kashmir cricketer after police initiated a preliminary enquiry into his act of wearing a helmet bearing the Palestinian flag during a local cricket tournament in Jammu.
The cricketer, Furqan Ul Haq, a resident of Tangipuna in Pulwama district, was seen wearing the helmet while playing a match at K C Door in the Muthi area on the outskirts of Jammu city, as reported by The Observer Post. A video of the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting Jammu and Kashmir Police to begin a 14-day preliminary enquiry at Domana police station under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
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Reacting to the development, Mehbooba Mufti posted on social media in support of Palestine, sharing a poetic message, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” — along with an image of the Palestinian flag. Her statement came amid growing political and public debate over the incident.
A police spokesperson said the enquiry would examine the facts of the case, the intent behind the act, the player’s background and any possible linkages. The provision under which the enquiry has been ordered allows police to conduct a time-bound preliminary assessment, with prior approval from a Deputy Superintendent of Police, before deciding whether further investigation is required.
Sources cited by The Observer Post said Furqan was playing for the JK11 team in a match against the Jammu Trailblazers during the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League, a privately organised tournament. He reportedly came out to bat in the fourth over when he was seen wearing the helmet with the Palestinian flag. Furqan and the league organiser, Sajid Bhat, were subsequently summoned for questioning.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association clarified that it has no association with the tournament, stating that the league was privately organised and not recognised by the official cricket body.
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Second PUC results: Life convict clears exam with distinction, DGP lauds effort
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Bengaluru: A life convict lodged in Ballari Central Prison has successfully cleared the second PUC examination.
Ashok Kumar S, who appeared for the examination under prison escort, secured 481 marks out of 600, registering 80.1 percent.
Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services), Alok Kumar (IPS), shared the development on his official ‘X’ handle, commending the inmate’s achievement.
In his post, he stated that it was heartening to see a life convict score over 80 percent in the examination, adding that the inmate had appeared from Ballari Central Prison under escort.
It’s heartening to see that one of our life convict prisoners Ashok has obtained 80.1% marks in PUC exam. He appeared under Prison escort from Ballari Central Prison for his exams.
— alok kumar (@alokkumar6994) April 9, 2026
Glad to see that Walls of the prison has not subdued his hopes for a better future. pic.twitter.com/Nzlcy076SR
He further noted that the achievement reflected that the “walls of the prison have not subdued his hopes for a better future.”
Alok Kumar in his post also shared the result sheet of Ashok.
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) declared the second PUC results for 2026 on April 9.
A total of 6,32,200 students appeared for the examination across all streams, of whom 5,46,698 passed, recording an overall pass percentage of 86.48 per cent.
