Mobile, Internet services not disrupted in Kashmir on Republic Day

SRINAGAR: For the first time in a decade, mobile phone and mobile Internet services were not disrupted in Kashmir Valley as part of the security drill for Republic Day celebrations.

Mobile phones and Internet services on mobile devices were not snapped when the Republic Day parade began at Kashmir's main venue Bakshi Stadium and other district headquarters.

It is for the first time since 2005 that mobile phone and Internet services have not been snapped as part of the security drill in Kashmir.

The security agencies added this step to the security drill after militants triggered a blast outside the Bakshi Stadium during the Independence Day parade in 2005.

The authorities have been clamping down on mobile services in times of trouble in Kashmir.

The government had imposed a ban on SMS services in the state following the 2008 Amarnath Land Row agitation, 2010 summer agitation and post hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru.

While the SMS services were restored on post-paid mobiles within months, the ban on this service on pre-paid mobiles was only lifted in May last year.