Terrorists are trying to put a stop to mobile networks in India, and they are using deadly force to do it.
Two civilian tower workers were killed and three more were injured in multiple attacks on mobile infrastructure in North Kashmir and Srinagar. As a result, five government-owned Indian operators have shut down SIM recharge facilities across the Kashmir Valley.
The attacks, allegedly carried out by Lashkar-e-Islam, also caused Bharti Airtel, Aircel and Vodafone to shut down services in the area. The attacks and threats have now led to 50% of the networks being blacked out. Residents who have installed towers at their homes in North Kashmir have stopped using them altogether because of the fear of an attack.
Mobile operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam shut down service to all of its towers in the area after terrorists lobbed grenades at one of their towers, injuring one civilian.
There are five BSNL franchises across Kashmir. The company decided to close all outlets in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara.
“We’re scared after attacks in North Kashmir and resurfacing of threatening posters,” a BSNL representative said. “We don’t want to take any chances. We have small children and don’t want to fall prey to unknown gunmen.”
Police say they have arrested three suspects who they believe have been putting up threatening posters in the area.
Intelligence sources in India believe the cause of the recent terrorist backlash against the tower industry is due to the seizure of an ISI-supplied radio communication gadget installed at a telecom tower in Sopore earlier this year.
