Mobile connectivity partially restored
89 of 175 affected towers in Sopore made functional Investigation going on to identify attackers: IGP
The mobile connectivity in the Valley was partially restored on Wednesday after telecom companies resumed their services and restored operation of majority of mobile towers, which were shut after series of attacks by unidentified gunmen.IGP Kashmir range SJM Gilani told that out of 1058 affected mobile towers in the Valley, 609 have been restored.
After series of attacks by unknown gunmen in Sopore in which two people were killed, the telecom operators had shut the mobile towers and suspended their services in parts of North Kashmir.
“We have restored 79 percent mobile connectivity across Kashmir. However, due to some issues of cables in Sopore, we could only restore 89 mobile vendors out of 175 in the area,” IGP said.
He said they are trying to resolve the issue and by tonight the mobile service will be restored in Sopore.
The mobile services had remained disrupted in parts of North Kashmir, South Kashmir and outskirts of Srinagar following attacks on mobile vendors and mobile installations by gunmen after seizure of their hi-tech communication device from a mobile tower in sensitive Sopore township in Baramulla district.
Besides Sopore, Handwara and Baramulla were also affected by suspension of services by mobile operators.
“In Handwara, out of 130 towers, 111 were affected and police succeeded in restoring 81 so far. Similarly, 185 towers were affected in Baramulla out of 297 and 119 towers have resumed functioning,” police sources said.
In Srinagar, where a grenade was lobbed at a tower on Monday, 141 towers out of 714 were switched off. However, police says 91 percent towers have been restored.
IGP said investigation is going on to identity the attackers. “We will make public aware about our investigations after we reach to the root cause of the issue”.
On shifting of vulnerable mobile towers to CRPF camps and police stations, he said they will relocate the towers wherever they feel necessary.
“Yes, we will shift the towers wherever we feel necessary. Wherever people would not cooperate to continue the business, we will shift those vendors to safer areas. Those who would continue their business will not be shifted,” he said.
Police are planning to relocate the vulnerable mobile towers as a preventive major to avoid militant attacks in future.
