Plane flies over Headingley with 'Justice for Kashmir' banner

Published July 6, 2019
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "Justice for Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "Justice for Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP
A light aircraft tows a banner with the words "India Stop Genocide & Free Kashmir" in the sky above the ground during the World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and India at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on Saturday. — AFP

Banners reading “#Justice for Kashmir” and “India stop genocide & free Kashmir” were flown over Headingley during India's World Cup clash with Sri Lanka on Saturday.

It was the second such incident at the event in England and Wales, after a banner was flown over the same ground in Leeds during last week's match between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

An insurgency in Indian-occupied Kashmir over the past three decades has left more than 70,000 dead, mainly civilians.

“We are incredibly disappointed this has happened again,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement. “We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

“Throughout the tournament we have worked with local police forces around the country to prevent this type of protest occurring. After the previous incident we were assured by West Yorkshire Police there would not be a repeat of this issue, so we are very dissatisfied it has happened again.”

Last week's group game between Pakistan and Afghanistan was marred by clashes between fans, prompting a police probe.

The ugly scenes were sparked by the flying of a banner over the ground reading: “Justice for Balochistan.”

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...