Jammu police took in for questioning a South Kashmiri cricketer, who was wearing a helmet printed with the Palestinian flag in a recent cricket match. The match took place during a privately organized tournament on the outskirts of Jammu, and a video taken of this incident has made its way to social media. 

According to sources close to the situation, this cricketer, Furqan Bhat, was part of the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League (a local, largely private tournament) at a private cricket ground, where he was representing team JK11 after batting in the fourth over against the Jammu Trailblazers; the helmet Bhat was wearing during his innings prominently displayed the image of the Palestinian flag.

As soon as the video began to circulate on the internet, authorities in the area contacted the police in Jammu, who had invited the cricketer to come to the Domana Police Station for questioning. The statement made by senior officers of Jammu Police does not indicate that they have made an investigative statement, but sources have indicated that the cricketer was questioned to determine what exactly happened during the incident and to investigate the incident that took place.

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🚨 CRICKETER WITH PALESTINE FLAG ARRESTED IN INDIA 🚨

Cricketer Furqan Bhat has been summoned by J&K police after he played a match in Jammu, India - wearing a Palestine 🇵🇸 flag on his helmet during the J&K Champions League 😲

- What's your take 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OsVkpjC44x

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) January 2, 2026

Event Organisers Questioned in Ongoing Inquiry

The tournament organizer, as well as the cricketer, is being questioned by the police. Reports indicate that the tournament organizer is Sajid Bhat, who is from the Kashmir region and managed to host the tournament using only local players. Sources say that there was no association with any recognized cricket body to host the tournament, and therefore, all arrangements for the tournament were made independently by Sajid Bhat and his group.

Brigadier Anil Gupta, who oversees all official activities of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), stated that the JKCA had no connection with the tournament. In addition, he stated that the tournament was not sanctioned or supervised by the JKCA. He went on to say that the tournament had been organized privately and that spectators reportedly were not allowed to attend the matches.

According to Brigadier Anil Gupta, "The JKCA does not have anything to do with this tournament. This was a privately organized tournament and is being treated by local authorities, since it is outside our jurisdiction." There has not been any announcement of additional action taken by authorities, and an inquiry is still underway.