All SMS services in Kashmir have been blocked, media reports said Tuesday. The step has been taken by the government keeping in mind the deteriorating law and order situation in the Valley.
On Monday, two people, Tajamul Bashir (17) and Ashif Hassan Rather (9) died in CRPF firing in Sopore and Baramulla, both 55 km north of Srinagar. This brings the number of civilian deaths at the hands of troops to eight in 15 days, three of them in the past 48 hours.
Kashmir has recently seen a spurt of violence, as a result of which paramilitary forces have been compelled to use force against people partaking in anti-State activities.
Earlier in April, the Jammu and Kashmir government had banned SMS services across the state for post paid subscribers in the wake of national security issues but was later revoked.