New Delhi, Taking a major step on the recommendation of defense forces, intelligence and investigative agencies, the central government has blocked 14 messenger mobile applications being used by terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said that these apps include Cripwiser, Enigma, SafeSwiss, Vikrame, Mediafire, Briar, Beechat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second Line, Jangi, Threema etc.

According to top sources, several agencies found that these apps were being used by terrorists to communicate with their supporters and On-Ground Workers (OGWs) in the Kashmir Valley. The government found that these apps did not have representatives in India and could not be contacted for seeking information as per Indian laws. The agencies tried to contact the app management on several occasions, but there was no office to contact in India.

Sources further said, according to the report, most of these apps were designed to provide anonymity to the users and due to their features agencies were finding it difficult to reach these users. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs through various agencies found that these mobile apps help terrorists and their associates.

Use of these messaging apps to instigate the youth
A senior intelligence official told that these apps have been found spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting youth in Jammu and Kashmir. The official said that these apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Let us tell you that for the last few years, the government is trying to break into the communication network of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. The servers of the apps that have been blocked are in different countries, which makes them difficult to trace. Also, due to heavy encryption, there is no way to intercept these apps.

A senior government official involved in the investigation of terrorism-related cases said that on several occasions security forces and investigative agencies have found these apps downloaded on mobile phones recovered from terrorists killed in operations. Also, many of the arrested OGWs had at least one of these apps on their phones. At the same time, during the investigation, it was also found that these apps were used to increase the agenda of terrorist organizations based in Pakistan.