Jammu and Kashmir police have summoned a local cricketer and the organizer of a private cricket tournament for questioning after a Palestinian flag was spotted flying during a match in Jammu, officials said on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, a cricketer was spotted wearing a helmet with a Palestinian flag while participating in a match organized as part of a local tournament. “A cricketer and tournament organizer has been called for questioning by the J&K Police regarding the use of the Palestinian flag on his helmet during a cricket match at a private tournament in Jammu,” the police said.
Police officials said the purpose of the questioning is to determine the circumstances under which the flag was raised during the match.
India Today has learned that the player in question has been identified as local cricketer Furqan Bhat. The incident took place on Wednesday during a match between JK11 Kings and Jammu Trailblazers in the ongoing J&K Champions League cricket tournament. Bhat was seen putting a Palestinian flag on his helmet while playing, after which the matter was reported to the police.
Sources told India Today that the tournament organizer has also been summoned for questioning in connection with the incident. The police are trying to find out if any permits were taken, if the rules of the tournament were violated and what was the intention of displaying the flag during the sporting event. A Palestinian flag seen on the helmet of a local batsman during a league match in Jammu and Kashmir. (Image: Screengrab)
Officials said the tournament is a privately organized local league and is not affiliated with any national or international cricket organisation. Police insist that no action has yet been taken and that the current move is limited to questioning and fact-checking.
“The police are verifying the facts and investigating the matter,” a senior official said, adding that the next steps, if any, would be decided after the interrogation is over and all relevant details are verified.
The incident sparked local debate over the display of political or international symbols at sporting events. However, authorities stressed that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and urged people not to speculate until the investigation is complete.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 1, 2026
