India begins restoring landline, mobile network services in locked down IoK

After a 12-day blackout following the stripping of the Indian occupied Kashmir's (IoK) autonomy, India began restoring on Saturday mobile and internet services in the region.

Landline services in 17 out of a little over 100 telephone exchanges in IoK have also been made operational. These exchanges are mainly in civil lines area, airport of Srinagar district and Cantonment area. While 2G mobile internet services have been restored in Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur districts, Indian media reported.

On Friday, the government had also that schools will reopen in IoK from August 19.

On August 5, India scrapped Article 370 from its constitution which granted special status to IoK. By stripping IoK's autonomy, outsiders will now be able to buy property in the region. Following its decision, India deployed 10,000 additional troops to the already heavy militated area.  It also restricted peoples movement and suspended telecommunications.