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Out of Sight in Kashmir | Close Up

Farzan is one of thousands of Kashmiri youth struggling to rebuild their lives after being injured by pellet guns.

In a flash, it was all taken away.

Two years ago, 18-year-old Farzan Sheikh was struck in the face – on two separate occasions – by lead pellets fired by Indian government forces in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir.

He lost all vision in his right eye, and 75 percent of the vision in his left eye.

Since then, he has been unable to partake in the activities nearest to his heart, watching from the sidelines as other young people play the games he loves.

Since 2016, thousands of young Kashmiris have been injured by pellets. In addition to physical injuries, many find themselves struggling with psychological issues.
 

A film by: Azad Essa and Horia El Hadad

Producer: Rifat Fareed

Camera: Shabir Bhat, Khalid Khan and Azad Essa

Editors: Horia El Hadad and Andrew Phillips

Music by: Hasham Cheema

Translators: Rifat Fareed

EP: Andrew Phillips

Follow Azad Essa @azad.essa and Horia El Hadad @horiaelhadad on Instagram