Hello Kashmir: Kashmiris delighted as post-paid mobile connections restored

It was no less than Eid for some, time to reconnect with family and friends for others and back to much needed business for many as post-paid mobile phone services were restored after 72 days in Kashmir on Monday.

Mobile phones rang out across the Valley for the first time since August 5 -- when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- much to the delight of residents longing to reach out to their loved ones outside the Valley and inside too.

Basharat Ahmad, a resident of the old city, lost no time in calling his friends and relatives within Kashmir and outside to just hear their voices after the long gap. In just an hour, he made 30 calls.

"I had not spoken to my relatives in Delhi and elsewhere outside Kashmir for 70 days. I want to hear from all of them and want to tell them we are still alive," Ahmad said.

For Nighat Shah, it was Eid all over again.

"This day is no less than Eid for us. ..