Pakistani flags were also seen hoisted on electric poles and trees at two places in Ganderpora locality of Eidgah in downtown Srinagar and some places in North Kashmir.
Police lobbed tear-gas shells and used batons to disperse small groups of youths who set ablaze a Tricolour and hoisted Pakistani flags at a few places and raised slogans in favour of the neighbouring country on the occasion of its independence day today.
Security forces swung into action after over 200 youths took to the streets outside the Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar shortly after Friday prayers, setting off crackers and clashing with police personnel, official sources said.
Chanting "Long live Pakistan" and "We want freedom", the young men pelted stones at the police, who used their batons and tear gas to disperse them. Reinforcements were also rushed to the spot to check violence from spreading to other areas.
The sources said Pakistani flags were also seen hoisted on electric poles and trees at two places in Ganderpora locality of Eidgah in downtown Srinagar and some places in North Kashmir, Baramulla, and Sopore townships, including Ningli and Batpora, early this morning.
The flags were removed by police forces patrolling the areas.
Meanwhile, to ensure that the day passed off peacefully, authorities closed the main road leading to the Bakshi Stadium, where chief minister Omar Abdullah will hoist the national flag at the Independence Day function tomorrow.
Security has been beefed up in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley. Sharpshooters have taken vantage positions on tall buildings to keep a watch and foil any attempt by extremists and separatists to disrupt the celebrations.
Almost all separatist groups, including the moderate faction of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, have called for a shutdown tomorrow.
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