J&K lifts restrictions on fixed line telephony

Fixed line telephony services have been completely restored in the Kashmir Valley, partially lifting the telecoms blackout in the state, the Economic Times cites the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) administration as saying. Services were shut down in early August to minimise security risks in the region – which is the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between India, Pakistan and China – following the revocation of the state’s special status, which granted J&K autonomy. Some of the restrictions on communications were softened in late August, but access to services remained extremely limited. Similarly, whilst the administration says landline call services have now been restored, the blackout has stayed in place for mobile communications and internet access.