The Balochistan government blocked cell phone services in Quetta and its surrounding areas on Independence Day in light of the security situation in the province on Tuesday. Security sources said that services were blocked to cut off communication capabilities of “miscreants and terrorists”. Residents of the city and surrounding areas were reported to be facing hardships after services had been suspended early Tuesday. The provincial government has also taken strict security measures to maintain law and order.
The Balochistan Constabulary and FC personnel have been deployed at sensitive sites and government buildings in the city. The provincial government had earlier shut down cellular services on March 23 (Pakistan Day) this year. Officials had then also claimed that the action had been taken to keep a check on militants in the province. Bomb blasts and attacks on security personnel and civilians are frequent in province.