Govt blocks 14 mobile apps being used by terror groups

 Delhi: 2,Apr: The Indian government has taken a strong stance against terrorist organizations by blocking 14 mobile messaging applications that were being used to spread extremist propaganda and coordinate attacks in the country's northernmost region of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to government officials, these apps were being used by militants to communicate with one another and recruit new members. The messaging platforms, including Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal, were reportedly providing a safe haven for terrorists to plan and execute their attacks, while evading detection by security agencies.

In a statement, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said that the decision to block these apps was taken in the interest of national security. "These messaging platforms have been used to spread fake news and rumours, which can incite violence and disrupt public order," the ministry said.

The move has been welcomed by security experts, who say that it will help curb the activities of terrorist groups operating in the region. "The blocking of these messaging apps is a crucial step in our fight against terrorism," said a senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir police department. "It will disrupt the communication channels of militants and make it more difficult for them to carry out their nefarious activities."

However, the decision has also been criticized by some civil liberties groups, who argue that it is an infringement of free speech and privacy rights. "Blocking messaging apps without any clear evidence of wrongdoing is a violation of our fundamental rights," said a spokesperson for the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights group based in India.

The government has defended its actions, stating that it has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected, while also safeguarding national security. It has also said that it will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.

The blocking of these messaging apps comes amid heightened tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, where there has been a surge in militant activity in recent months. The Indian government has been taking a tough stance against terrorism in the region, and has launched a number of operations to flush out militants from their hideouts.