‘Shut cell networks or die’
J-K terrorists threaten service providers to disband their systems so they can have a free run
Sopore: Highly trained militants operating in north and south Kashmir are all too aware of the risks of leaving a digital footprint that can be traced and identified and are now relying on couriers to deliver messages and data. With this new form of communication, militant planners can hide messages and communicate freely without fear of surveillance or interception because mobile networks have been stopped in the north and a few areas of south Kashmir. Militant outfits have claimed that communication systems have resulted in many of their top commanders being either killed or arrested by security forces.
Lashkar-e-Islam, which does not exist in the Valley, however, is asking people dealing with telecommunication businesses to shut their operations in north and other parts of Kashmir Valley.
The diktat, communicated via posters, reads, “We give the first and last warning to telecommunication professionals to bring down towers, close all networking service, marketing, SIM or lopo distribution or recharge businesses.
The posters threatened to kill those involved in this business unless they shut them down. The warning has also been issued to people having mobile towers on their properties. The group has threatened them with death if they don’t stop operations.
Militants fired indiscriminately on Ghulam Hassan Dar of Dooru Sopore, an owner of a mobile tower recently. He died on the spot. Militants had accused employees of mobile service providers of closely working with Intelligence agencies and Jammu and Kashmir police.
“Hizbul Mujahiddin is directly involved in this. They want to stop the communication network here in Sopore, and are involved in both the killings. Efforts are on to track them down,” superintendent of Sopore police Abdul Qayoom told Mirror.
Following the attacks, cell phone outlets including recharge counters and distributors of telecommunication companies operating in Sopore, Rafiabad, Zainageer, Baramulla, Pattan, Sangrama and other neighbouring areas have closed down their business. More than 1,000 retailers dealing with phone recharges have been closed down in the two townships. Six mobile companies are providing services in Baramulla and Sopore.
BSNL is up & running
However, the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited functioned normally across the district including Sopore and not a single official from any cellular company is ready to speak on the issue despite the fact that these companies have been incurring huge losses due to closure of their businesses in the town. “The breakdown in communication has caused immense problems to all. Parents whose children study outside are unable to contact them. Business is affected. We have taken serious note of the threatening posters," said DGP of J-K Rajendra K.
37 cell phone towers are in Sopore
Aircel : 12
Airtel : 11
Reliance : 5
Vodafone : 4
Tata Idiom : 2
Idea : 2
BSNL : 1
Sopore: Highly trained militants operating in north and south Kashmir are all too aware of the risks of leaving a digital footprint that can be traced and identified and are now relying on couriers to deliver messages and data. With this new form of communication, militant planners can hide messages and communicate freely without fear of surveillance or interception because mobile networks have been stopped in the north and a few areas of south Kashmir. Militant outfits have claimed that communication systems have resulted in many of their top commanders being either killed or arrested by security forces.
Lashkar-e-Islam, which does not exist in the Valley, however, is asking people dealing with telecommunication businesses to shut their operations in north and other parts of Kashmir Valley.
The diktat, communicated via posters, reads, “We give the first and last warning to telecommunication professionals to bring down towers, close all networking service, marketing, SIM or lopo distribution or recharge businesses.
The posters threatened to kill those involved in this business unless they shut them down. The warning has also been issued to people having mobile towers on their properties. The group has threatened them with death if they don’t stop operations.
Similar threatening posters also surfaced in Khanmoh and Khrew areas of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, warning telecommunication businesses to shut down immediately.
Militants fired indiscriminately on Ghulam Hassan Dar of Dooru Sopore, an owner of a mobile tower recently. He died on the spot. Militants had accused employees of mobile service providers of closely working with Intelligence agencies and Jammu and Kashmir police.
“Hizbul Mujahiddin is directly involved in this. They want to stop the communication network here in Sopore, and are involved in both the killings. Efforts are on to track them down,” superintendent of Sopore police Abdul Qayoom told Mirror.
Following the attacks, cell phone outlets including recharge counters and distributors of telecommunication companies operating in Sopore, Rafiabad, Zainageer, Baramulla, Pattan, Sangrama and other neighbouring areas have closed down their business. More than 1,000 retailers dealing with phone recharges have been closed down in the two townships. Six mobile companies are providing services in Baramulla and Sopore.
BSNL is up & running
However, the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited functioned normally across the district including Sopore and not a single official from any cellular company is ready to speak on the issue despite the fact that these companies have been incurring huge losses due to closure of their businesses in the town. “The breakdown in communication has caused immense problems to all. Parents whose children study outside are unable to contact them. Business is affected. We have taken serious note of the threatening posters," said DGP of J-K Rajendra K.
37 cell phone towers are in Sopore
Aircel : 12
Airtel : 11
Reliance : 5
Vodafone : 4
Tata Idiom : 2
Idea : 2
BSNL : 1
