Kashmiris celebrate Eid with Pakistan

Authorities in India announced that Eid-Al Fitr will be on Thursday. But for Kashmiris residing in Indian-held areas, Pakistan’s announcement in this regard had more weight.

Fearing violence, the Jammu and Kashmir government had put top saparatist leaders including, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under house arrest.
But a protest broke out at the “martyrs’ graveyard” — a part of Eidgah — when Kashmiris rallied for freedom and against the curbs on leadership and plans of army settlements.
There were also protests in districts Anantnag and Sopore, where protesters were seen waving the Pakistani flag.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday to wish him a speedy recovery from surgery, a sign the two men remain in touch, despite fraught diplomatic relations.
Sharif, 66, had successful open heart surgery in a London hospital in May, his second cardiac procedure in five years.
“Modi called Sharif on the occasion of Eid,” Sharif’s office said in a statement. “He also wished him well for his health post-surgery.”
Before the surgery in May, Sharif had also telephoned Modi to thank him for his wishes for a quick recovery.
Sharif made a bid to improve ties with old rival India a key plank of his 2013 election campaign, though progress has been slow and relations remain frayed over Islamist militant attacks and long-standing distrust.

Source: Arab News