2G services restored in 5 Jammu dists, phone lines in 17 exchanges in Valley; Jawan martyred in Pak fire
The urban heartland in Jammu & Kashmir remained peaceful even as the administration restored low-speed mobile internet and landline services and eased restrictions on movement of people in selective areas, but the Line of Control (LoC) became tense with an Indian Army jawan succumbing to fatal injuries in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.
Defence PRO in Jammu Lt-Col Devender Anand said, “In the exchange of fire, 35-year-old Lance Naik Sandeep Thapa attained martyrdom. He belonged to Village Rajawala, Tehsil Vikas Nagar, District Sahaspur, Dehradun.” He is survived by his wife, Nisha Thapa.
Life began limping back to normalcy with the restoration of 2G mobile internet services in five districts of Jammu division and making of 17 telephone exchanges operational across Kashmir Valley.
Now there are no restrictions in 10 districts of Jammu with ongoing relaxation at Poonch, Banihal, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah towns for the day, Government spokesperson Rohit Kansal told reporters in Srinagar. As for the Valley, he said relaxation has been provided in 35 police stations.
“The process of relaxation and easing of restrictions is in progress and most of the telephone exchanges in Valley should be functional by Sunday evening,” Kansal said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Swayam Prakash Pani and Director Information and Public Relations Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar were also present on the occasion.
He added that in Jammu division landlines services are already functioning. Kansal said the administration is closely monitoring the whole situation and so far no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the Valley. He said the plying of public transport normally on the roads is a good sign and there are reports that the same has been noticed in rural areas also.
Providing details about opening of schools in the Valley, he said that schools beginning from primary level shall open from Monday, besides, all the Government offices will start functioning normally from the same day.
On the LoC, giving a befitting reply to the Pakistan army, Indian troops reportedly inflicted casualties to Pakistani troops besides damaging several forward posts in their area. The situation remained tense in the region as several residential areas too came in the line of fire of Pakistani guns.
Lt-Col Anand said, “Pakistan army initiated ceasefire violation around 6.30 am by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars in Nowshera sector of Rajouri on Saturday.”
“Indian Army responded strongly and effectively. Heavy damage to Pakistan Army posts and casualties to Pakistan soldiers have been inflicted by own troops,” he added.