Lashkar-e-Islami cripples Kashmir, only two out of the 200 mobile communication towers functional in Sopore

SOPORE: The killing of two people associated with telecommunication business in Sopore last month and threats issued to telecom operators by an unknown group, Lashkar-e-Islami, has crippled the apple town and other areas of north Kashmir. Breakdown in telecommunication that followed the attacks and police crackdown has created fear among people, who have been forced to relive memories of 1990s, when militancy was at its peak in the state.

Unidentified gunmen shot down two people associated with telecommunication business, in Sopore and Pattan, last month, which was followed by an unknown group, Lashkar-e-Islami, asking all the telecommunication operators to shut their businesses, through posters. This led to shops selling prepaid cards to shut down in fear, leading to a major communication breakdown.

The communication breakdown has isolated a huge population in north Kashmir. People are going back to pre-mobile days and applying for installation of landlines. A lot of families have not been able to talk to their children studying outside Jammu and Kashmir or even outside the district. Many businessmen have to travel to Sopore daily due to the disturbed telecom network. Hundreds of people associated with the telecom industry are praying for ‘better luck’ to resume their businesses.