Jammu: India's largest telecom operator formally announced the launch of cellular service in Jammu and Kashmir.

The declaration by the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) came two days after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee promised in his Independence Day speech the launch of mobile telephony in the region.

"We will be launching mobile telephone service in Jammu and Kashmir next week. The tensions in the state can be solved through a mutual dialogue. We will forward the process in this direction," Vajpayee declared on August 15.

Arun Kumar, chief general manager of the BSNL in Kashmir circle, said that the application forms would be made available from August 19. "Considering what the Prime Minister said on the Independence Day the cellular service will commence from this week onwards. We are inviting applications from August 18 and start the bookings from the 19th," he told a press conference in Jammu.

Mobile services will be available in 14 major townships of Jammu and Kashmir including Katra, Vaishnodevi, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Jammu-Pathankote National Highways in the state. As many as 41,200 mobile connections will be made available in the state, including 13,000 each in Srinagar and Jammu.

A total of 37 tower sites have been set up in the state, including 10 each in Srinagar and Jammu for smooth working of mobile services. Mobile telephony was not allowed in the state due to security concerns.

The security measure was a major problem for residents of the state as the restive region lagged behind the rest of the country taking leaps in telecommunications.

Kumar said cellular service would still not be allowed within 10-kilometre range of the border.

"According to the Indian government, mobile signal would not be available till a range of 10 kms of the international border. We are working as per the instruction," he said. The people of Jammu and Kashmir hailed the decision to introduce mobile phones saying it would help strengthen their business avenues in the state.

Though long distance services were restored earlier this year, Internet access would still not be available in the troubled state.

ANI