Cricket In The Valley

Jammu & Kashmir's incredible natural beauty goes hand in hand with its political and religious turmoil. Life in the state goes on under the shadow of the gun, wielded sometimes by extremists, other times by the state. Where does cricket fit into the scheme of things? Perhaps these pictures offer clues.

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Kashmiri boys studying in a madrassa watch classmates play cricket on a quiet afternoon in Srinagar, the Indian held summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir July 29, 2003. Despite the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, one thing that unites these two countires is their passion for the game of cricket. Since the 15th century, the Himalayan kingdom of Kashmir has been known for its beauty and serenity. Everyone from Mughal ... more
Kashmiri boys studying in a madrassa watch classmates play cricket on a quiet afternoon in Srinagar, the Indian held summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir July 29, 2003. Despite the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, one thing that unites these two countires is their passion for the game of cricket. Since the 15th century, the Himalayan kingdom of Kashmir has been known for its beauty and serenity. Everyone from Mughal emperors to British colonialists fell in love with its physical beauty. Since 1989, it has been a state under siege, with both India and Pakistan laying claim to it. Human rights organizations say more than 80,000 have died in the 13 year old conflict. The Indian government says 40,000, but whatever the number, it has been mainly Kashmiri residents who have suffered as the two nuclear-armed countries fight a proxy war. (Photo by Ami Vitale/Getty Images) less