Srinagar, Aug 15 (IANS) Mobile phones across the Kashmir Valley fell silent Monday as service providers switched off the facility following instructions from the security agencies on Indian Indpendence Day.


The cell phones have been used in the past by the guerrillas to trigger remote controlled explosive devices in Jammu and Kashmir to stoke trouble on occassions like independence or republic days.

"We do not want to take any chances. Your phones would start functioning again once the official parade and other functions are over," said an intelligence official who did not want to be named.

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

"Like Jan 26 (Republic D) this year my mobile phones stopped working this morning. There is no way I can ask the service providers the reasons. That must wait till the phones are restored," said Abdul Majid, 62, who lives in north Kashmir's Ganderbal district.