Pak flag-waving rally teargassed in held Kashmir

HELD SRINAGAR: The Indian occupied forces fired teargas and pellet guns at protesters waiving Pakistani flags as the disputed territory of Kashmir marked the Muslim festival of Eidul Fitr on Monday.

Authorities detained some pro-freedom political leaders to try to avert trouble on Eid, the day of festivities that marks the end of the Ramazan fasting month.

But stone-throwing started as tens of thousands of people poured out of mosques in the main city of Srinagar after midday prayers.

About 10 people were injured, according to the Indian media. Daily troubles left 51 people dead during Ramazan in the Indian-held territory, according to the Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society.

Civilians have been killed as they try to stop police and troops arresting militants.

A police deputy superintendent was beaten to death by a crowd outside one Srinagar mosque last Thursday.

More than 50,000 people gathered for prayers at the Hazratbal shrine and over 40,000 at the Eidgah mosque.

Youths started hurling stones at occupied security forces as the masses poured onto the streets. Many waved Pakistani flags. Clashes were also reported in the Sopore, Anantnag, Rajpora, Shopian and Safkadal areas in and on the fringes of the city.

Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were among the pro-freedom politicians held under house arrest for the Ramadan climax.

Farooq called the Indian government "shameless" in a tweet in which he said he had been prevented for eight years from giving an Eid sermon.

Kashmir is expected to remain tense in the run-up to the July 8 anniversary of the killing of Commander Burhan Wani.

India last week deployed about 2,000 extra troops in southern Kashmir, according to media reports.