As internet stays on during anti-militancy operations, businesses see dividends of security shift

(file photo)Security personnel at the site as the body of a terrorist recovered following an encounter with security forces, in Shopian

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For the past seven days, security forces have been conducting an anti-militancy operation in the dense orchards of Shopian’s Meemander and Chanpora villages, about 53 km south of Srinagar. A top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander was killed during the operation, and his bullet-riddled body was recovered on July 9. Security forces continue to search for another militant believed to be hiding in the area.Despite the ongoing operation, mobile internet services have remained uninterrupted—an unusual departure from a practice that, for years, saw communication outages during encounters and search operations in Kashmir.For residents, traders and online businesses, uninterrupted connectivity has meant that life and work have continued with little disruption even as the security operation entered its second week.“E-commerce and other internet-based businesses have been functioning without any disruption in the area,” said Suhail Ahmad, an e-commerce trader.broader shiftThe uninterrupted internet access reflects a broader shift in Kashmir’s security approach, with authorities increasingly relying on targeted operational measures instead of blanket communication blackouts.“The uninterrupted internet during an ongoing anti-militancy operation reflects a significant shift in security management. Authorities now appear to be balancing operational requirements with the need to minimise disruptions to economic activity and everyday life,” said Shahnawaz Hussain, a Valley-based political and security analyst.“In many ways, uninterrupted connectivity has become an indicator of the return to normalcy,” he added.Data from the Internet Shutdowns Tracker, maintained by the Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in), shows a sharp decline in internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir over the past few years. The region recorded three internet outages in the first six months of 2026, compared with 11 shutdowns in 2025. The number had already fallen to two in 2024 from 14 in 2023 and 43 in 2022. Internet services were suspended 79 times in 2021 and 116 times in 2020.According to the 2024 research paper, Impact on Economy Due to Internet Shutdown: A Case Study of Kashmir, each full day of internet suspension results in an estimated economic loss of ₹165 crore, with the tourism sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) suffering the largest proportional declines.The shift is proving particularly significant for the Valley’s fast-growing digital economy, which increasingly depends on uninterrupted connectivity for e-commerce, digital payments, education, tourism bookings, app-based services and export businesses.Qazi Tauseef, spokesperson for the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an umbrella organisation representing traders, transporters and other business bodies, said uninterrupted internet services had significantly benefited businesses across sectors.Commercial activity“Avoiding blanket internet shutdowns has helped prevent unnecessary financial losses and ensured the continuity of commercial activity”, he said Tauseef said businesses now rely heavily on digital payments, online orders and real-time communication. “Keeping the internet operational has allowed trade to continue without disruption,” he added.Published on July 10, 2026