Mobile phones in the Indian side of the Kashmir Valley were blocked earlier today following orders from the Security Services who feared possible violence on Indian Independence Day.

It has been alleged that mobile phones are used to trigger detonations in explosive devices, and that the Independence Day could be a spur for more attacks.

“We do not want to take any chances. Your phones would start functioning again once the official parade and other functions are over,” an intelligence official who did not want to be named told the Times of India.

Most cell phone users in the summer capital Srinagar complained of the service failure.

There was also a heavy police presence in most town during the day, and a general strike called by Hurriyat factions calling for self-determination in the region.

On the web: Times of India