Srinagar, Apr 26: For the fifth time in a month, landline cables of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited along the Airport Road were stolen last night even as cops continue to be clueless about the recurring thefts which have left hundreds of subscribers including strategically important Police Headquarter (PHQ) inconvenienced.  
 A senior BSNL official said thieves struck the high security area between Bhagat Chowk and Bone and Joints Hospital bridge last night decamping with hundreds of meters of over-ground cable.
 “This has resulted in snapping of telephone services to hundreds of subscribers, including the Police Headquarters at Peerbagh, and several key government and security installations,” he said.
 Incidentally, the official said, the thefts had been taking place under the nose of the police and security agencies as the stretch has the Sadar Police station on the one end and the Central Reserve Police Force headquarters on the other. The over ground cable cannot be reached without using a ladder. Obviously, he said, its theft must be a time-consuming affair which can be easily detected by security forces on regular patrol in the area.  
 “Every time the cables are stolen, the BSNL authorities lodged an FIR with the Sadar Police Station. Strangely, however, the police has so far failed to nab the culprits who steal the cables at regular intervals now,” the official lamented.
 Earlier, the official said, the telephone cable along the link road between the Bypass and Burzala in Bulbul Bagh area was also stolen causing hardship to hundreds of subscribers, including the residence of a top police official.
 With the Durbar move round the corner, the official said, the Police Headquarters located at Peerbagh would be functional. But, in view of the recurrent cable thefts, the key institution could face problems for want of telephone and broadband connectivity.
 When contacted SHO Sadder Police Station, Liyaqat Ali Khan said the matter has come to his notice adding that it was being seriously looked into.
 “We’ll soon solve the case InshaAllah,” the SHO told Greater Kashmir. He however said it wasn’t  fifth but second such incident reported from his area of jurisdiction.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST