Reliance deactivates 36,000 connections in J&K fearing security threat

Fearing security threat, Reliance mobile company has deactivated its over 36,000 connections in Jammu and Kashmir even as the state police continued its probe into the violation of guidelines in issuing SIM cards.

"Reliance company has deactivated 36,000 connections and begun internal probe into issuance of mobile connections on the basis of fake documents," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Crime Branch, Jammu J P Singh told PTI.

Singh, who is heading the probe, said that Reliance has conveyed to the Crime Branch about the deactivation of these numbers and on the progress of its internal probe.

"We have so far raided premises of 11 major dealers of Reliance, Vodafone and Aircel in the city and seized records related to the mobile connection," he said.

There are over 20 lakh mobiles connections of BSNL, Airtel, Reliance, Aircel, Vodaphone and Tata Indicom companies in the state.

"If a minor probe can lead to deactivation of such a large number of mobile connections, what could be the number if such a probe is conducted in all these companies," a crime branch officials wondered.

"The mobile connection issued on fake documents can easily slip into the hands of militants posing a major security threat as these can be used to trigger blasts," Crime Branch officials said.

The mobile companies have been advised to carry out internal probe into the SIM records to ensure that all fake connections are deactivated, the crime branch officials said.

As per the police figures, over 500 to 600 SIM cards and mobiles connections have been recovered from slain militants and their supporters in the state during last three three years.

The mobile companies have been asked to strictly adhere to security guidelines while issuing the SIM connection and accept only those forms duly signed by a gazetted officer.