Almost a week after attacks started on the telecom companies, the police have identified a group of local boys, who were reportedly involved in the attacks.
According to the inspector general of police, Kashmir Range, a few arrests have been made in this connection.
"We know the names of people involved in attacks. We have arrested a group of people who used to provide support to militants,'' said IGP Javeed Gillani.
He said he was hopeful a breakthrough soon. An employee of the BSNL was killed and two others sustained injuries when unidentified gunmen attacked the BSNL showroom at Sopore last Monday and a day later, another person who had hosted a mobile tower in his house was killed.
Sources say four local boys, who have been active militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen for the past three to four years, are involved.
"They are working in tandem with two more persons who are non-locals,'' said a source.
Although the police said, foreign hand has not been established in the attacks so far, however, IGP Gillani did not rule out involvement of other banned militant organisations.
"Most of the militant groups work together. Although our investigation so far has established the involvement of indigenous Hizbul Mujahideen cadre, help from groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba cannot be ruled out,'' he added.
{{/usCountry}}"Most of the militant groups work together. Although our investigation so far has established the involvement of indigenous Hizbul Mujahideen cadre, help from groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba cannot be ruled out,'' he added.
{{/usCountry}}A senior police official said that four persons have so far been arrested. "Some more arrests are on cards and more raids would be carried out during the night."
Following attacks, the telecom operators in the Sopore town and the adjoining areas have removed the sign boards from their outlets and stopped operations. Pre-paid recharge was not available even in Srinagar where a grenade was thrown at a mobile tower on Monday.
The police said that they have increased security around the mobile towers following increased apprehensions of attacks.
"We have increased the security in these areas. There is fear among people but we held a meeting with the stakeholders today and assured our support,'' Gillani added.