Hours after mobiles restored, India blocks SMS services in Kashmir

Srinagar - The decision to cut text services was taken to reduce the ability of militants to communicate.

Text messaging services were blocked in Kashmir just hours after being restored when a truck driver was killed by suspected militants and his vehicle set ablaze, authorities said on Tuesday.
Security sources said the decision to cut text services was taken to reduce the ability of militants to communicate.
Indian authorities had only restored call and text services for mobile phones on Monday, following a 72-day blackout in the restive northern territory imposed after New Delhi scrapped the region's semi-autonomous status.
"SMS services were stopped last evening as a precautionary measure," said an official without elaborating further.
The seven million-plus people of the Kashmir Valley are still cut off from the internet, however.
Authorities said SMS services were cut on Monday night following the attack on the driver of a truck carrying apples in Shopian.
Residents said two masked gunmen told the driver to move his vehicle because it was blocking the road, but it skidded and got stuck.
"The gunmen then fired at the truck and set it on fire," a witness told AFP.
Many orchard owners say they are refusing to harvest this year to protest against the government's move to scrap Kashmir's autonomy.
Indian authorities say that militants have been intimidating farmers and businessmen.

• India