National flags and tiranga rallies counter Pakistan-backed Kashmir Solidarity Day
text_fields
Pakistan’s Kashmir Solidarity Day was countered on Wednesday by patriotic displays along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, where national flags, the national anthem, and Tiranga rallies were organised in the frontier areas of Kupwara district.
The developments marked a first at the Line of Control, where Pakistan observes February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day with public rallies and events in support of secessionism. On the Pakistani side of the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, events began with a two-minute silence in the morning. At the same time, areas on the Indian side echoed with patriotic songs.
At Keran and Teetwal, two villages located on the Line of Control, patriotic programmes were organised and were visible and audible across the border. An official said the events began with the singing of the national anthem, followed by a Tiranga rally and cultural programmes.
In past years, separatist groups in Kashmir had organised events and shutdown calls on February 5 in support of Pakistan’s observance. Officials said the situation has changed after the separatist network was dismantled and security forces established firm control on the ground.
Instead of shutdowns, shopkeepers in several areas displayed national flags in their shop windows on Wednesday. A Tiranga bike rally was also organised from Trehgam to Kupwara town to counter Pakistan’s narrative.
Trehgam is the ancestral village of Maqbool Bhat, the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, who was executed in Tihar Jail in February 1984 after being convicted of killing an intelligence officer.
