Attacks on mobile towers: Centre rushes team to Kashmir

The Centre today despatched a team of senior officials to Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the situation arising out of a series of attacks on telecom towers in the state.
On the basis of its report, the central government will decide whether there is requirement of any intervention to improve the situation, they said.
Headed by Joint Secretary (Kashmir) in the Home Ministry Rajit Punhani, the team will review the precarious security situation emerging in Kashmir valley due to the persistent targeting of the mobile telephone infrastructure by the militants.
The central delegation will make on-the-spot assessment and submit its report to the Home Ministry as well as the Prime Minister's Office, sources said.

The Home Ministry yesterday had asked Jammu and Kashmir government to ensure security of communication infrastructure and come out with an action plan to deal with militants' threats.
In an advisory, the Home Ministry had asked Jammu and Kashmir government to urgently review the security situation in the wake several attacks on mobile towers and killing of people connected with the communication networks.

"Urgent review may be undertaken to assess the extent of the threat and its fallout. Suitable counter measures, including security cover wherever necessary, may be put in place urgently to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to ensure smooth functioning of the communication infrastructure," the Home Ministry told the state government.

Asking the state government government to provide a detailed action plan to deal with the situation arising out of the militants threat, the Home Ministry said security is vital for ensuring smooth functioning of the communication network in Jammu and Kashmir.
Two people were killed, several others having links with cellular companies threatened and many telecom towers were damaged by militants in Kashmir valley recently, raising concern in the Home Ministry.