Reportedly the government of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday said postpaid mobile telephony would be restored from October 14, after 71 days of a communication shutdown in the Kashmir Valley, but warned of threats “of wide scale militant attacks being orchestrated from across the border”. Meanwhile after reviewing the situation, it has been decided that all postpaid mobile phones, irrespective of the service provider, will stand restored and be functional from noon on Monday.
Perhaps this will cover all 10 districts of the Kashmir province,” State Principal Secretary and official spokesman Rohit Kansal said at a press conference and the decision will help 40 lakh postpaid users in the Valley, which has around 66 lakh mobile phone users and it would also help tourists visit the State without difficulty. Apparently Mr. Kansal said “Internet would be made available to tourists at key destinations, he added now, students can be in touch with parents while attending schools, businessmen can be in touch with customers, transporters can contact clients, and contractors can be in touch with staff”.
Moreover the government, however, was quick to add that there was the looming threat of militant attacks in J&K and he said the recent restrictions were imposed “so that externally aided terrorism does not lead to a loss of innocent lives”. Perhaps Mr. Kansal also informed that barring 8-10 police stations, movement restrictions had been completely removed in the Valley.
