Pak raising signal of mobile towers to cover J&K towns

Bid to keep phones, Net functional

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: In a cause of major concern for security agencies, Pakistan Government has started major expansion coverage of its mobile network along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) which has the potential of not only helping the militants infiltrate from Line of Control (LoC) but could also neutralize impact of communication blockade including Internet by the J&K Government.
Imran Khan-led Government in Pakistan has drafted major plan which is ready for implementation in PoK under which it will install very high signaled towers at 38 locations along the LoC and International Border with India which will be capable to provide mobile network signals deep inside Jammu and Kashmir to keep mobile telephones functional even in case of communication blockade including shut down of Internet by the J&K Government due to sensitive situation especially during encounters or any other kind of law and order problem in the Valley.
Highly placed sources told the Excelsior that Pakistan’s Special Communications Organization (SCO), which has been providing telecom services in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan region, has already analyzed signals from 38 sites along LoC and IB to provide its mobile network signals deep inside Jammu and Kashmir.
The SCO proposed to use around 30 existing towers by reorienting the GSM antennas in 17 locations to achieve the objective of providing its mobile network signals inside Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan proposed to target especially the Kashmir Valley in its plan where communication blockade especially Mobile internet had to be shut several times due to law and order problems.
“Pakistan Government is specially trying to cover towns in Kashmir through its mobile network signals to spread its messages among the people to flare up tension at the time of encounters and other law and order problems,” sources said.
To further enhance signals, Pakistan Government has also approved installation of new base transceiver station in PoK and use of Wireless Local Loop phones in the Indian territory.
According to sources, Pakistan Government has given nod to increase signal strength of mobile towers at Cham opposite Baramulla, Leepa across Sopore, Upper Neelum and Athmuqam opposite Kupwara and Hillan Meera opposite Srinagar to provide mobile network coverage.
The SCO, according to sources, is also trying to increase transmission power of Television towers located at Khuiratta, Lawat near Muzaffarabad and Upper Neelum to provide extended TV coverage in Jammu and Kashmir. Through Pakistan Television, the Imran Khan Government has been spreading anti-India propaganda in news and other programmes especially pertaining to J&K.
Pakistan Television channels have been caught several times airing video footage of Syria, Iraq and other such nations to describe them as happenings of Kashmir. The Indian Government has nailed Pakistan’s lies at various international forums repeatedly especially showing morphed pictures and footage of other foreign countries to describe them as Kashmir incidents.