Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Australian broadcaster Erin Holland says she remains “rattled,” after being forced to flee Islamabad this week, as tensions continue to escalate between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir region.
Holland was in the country working as part of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
But due to the ongoing tensions, matches were suspended and moved to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
India and Pakistan are locked in a longstanding dispute over Kashmir.
The two countries have engaged in daily clashes since Wednesday, when India launched strikes inside Pakistan on what it called militant bases.
India has said its strikes on Wednesday, which kicked off the clashes between the countries, were in retaliation for a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir last month.
However, Pakistan denied India’s accusations that it was involved in the tourist attack.
Since Wednesday, the two countries have exchanged cross-border fire and shelling, and sent drones, and missiles into each other’s airspace.
According to casualty estimates on both sides, at least 48 people have been killed.
Now, safely in Dubai, Holland spoke to Weekend Sunrise on Saturday of her experience.
“We had a game three nights ago which went ahead without a glitch and then the next day we’d heard that there had been some escalating tensions,” Holland told hosts David Woiwod and Sally Bowrey.
“(After that) we kind of sat in limbo for 24 hours or so, not sure what was going to happen.
“If we were leaving, if we were continuing, we were eventually told that the PSL would move to Dubai.
“We were put on to a special chartered flight, which was organised for anyone who could basically get into Dubai without a visa or had a visa.
“So, for us Australians, that was wonderful news.
“(When) we got to the airport, we found out the whole thing had been called off and things (tensions) have exacerbated since we left.
“I think there was an attack on the airport, about 3.5 hours after we left.
“So, feeling very rattled right now.
“But very grateful to everyone who’s looked after us so incredibly well, and thinking about all of my peers, who are still on the ground and haven’t been able to get out yet.”
Woiwod asked Holland if she had witnessed any of the attacks.
“Definitely (heard bits and pieces).
“And there’s been a lot of action in Islamabad over the last 48 hours.
“We’ve seen a lot of artillery on the roads.
“We’ve heard a lot of air traffic noise as well.
“I haven’t sighted anything myself with my own eyes, but we’ve definitely been in situations where the day after we (the place has been attacked).
“So yeah, it’s been a really unnerving few hours.
“I’m just really, really sad.
“The countries (involved, India and Pakistan) I visit both very frequently, working in cricket and have a lot of love for everyone.”
Currently, about 15 Australian players are in the league.
“We all have been keeping in very close contact,” Holland said.
“We’re a very small, closeknit fraternity, particularly the broadcasters as well.
“We come from all over the world, but there’s kind of only a few of us that work here.
“I had six Aussies with me on the plane, Aussie cricketers who came out, so everyone’s just looking forward to getting home to their families.
“(I’m) kind of lost for words to be honest.
“It’s been a really difficult time, and I think really a massive shame as well.
“Something that brings people so much joy has not been able to go ahead in a time that I think we could all use a really big lift.”
– with AAP
