4G services likely to be suspended in J&K in March, April
THE CENTRE had decided to restore 4G services in J&K last month after a gap of nearly a year.
Security agencies are once again likely to recommend suspension of
4G services in J&K during March-April in view of specific Intelligence inputs that Pakistanbased terror outfits were planning “major infiltration and terror attacks” in the Valley and along the Indo-Pak border areas.
The Centre had decided to restore 4G services in J&K last month after a gap of nearly a year. These 4G services were restricted by the Centre, on recommendation of security agencies, after Article 370 was revoked in J&K in August 2019. Anticipating that the decision to scrap Article
370 could trigger largescale unrest in the Valley it was decided to restrict usage of 4G services.
So though these services have now been restored security and Intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation in the Valley. Intelligence agencies said that though the situation as of now was under control but could deteriorate during the coming season.
Intelligence agencies have received specific inputs that a large number militants, close to 500, were waiting at launch pads along the Indo-Pak to infiltrate into India with onset of summer. Cell phone serves, particular messaging plays a crucial role in terror activities hence security forces are skeptical that 4G services may once again have to be suspended in case violence in the Valley escalates in the coming days.
“There is concrete information with us that major infiltration and terror attacks are being planned during March-April. Cell phones play a major role in terror operations so if security situation deteriorates in the coming days then we will have suspend these 4G services again,” a senior Intelligence official said.
Kashmir Valley witnessed a relatively peaceful winter this year with a sharp drop in number of terror incidents. But things, security official feel, could change with the onset of summers for which adequate preventive measures like strengthening anti-infiltration grid along the border areas and increasing deployment with the Valley were being done.