Srinagar: Militants in Kashmir threatened on Friday to launch suicide attacks on cable TV relay centres in the region if they did not shut down.
Cable TV operators in the Kashmir Valley stopped broadcasting on Wednesday after a militant group issued threats accusing the channels of showing obscene programmes.
But operators in Srinagar and surrounding areas resumed services on Thursday after police promised them protection.
"A Zionist conspiracy is underway to dissuade Muslim youth from Islam," militant groups Al-Madina Regiment, Al-Badr Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Harkatul Mujahideen said in a joint statement published in local newspapers.
"We warn cable operators of fidayeen attack if they resume operations," the joint statement said, referring to suicide attackers.
Kashmir's frontline rebel group Hizbul Mujahideen said on Thursday the threat to cable operators was a ploy to divert attention from an alleged prostitution racket which saw girls, including minors, being supplied to politicians and policemen.
The controversy has triggered widespread protests across the Kashmir Valley since last week.
Shops and businesses were closed in many parts of Srinagar on Friday after a strike call by local traders and lawyers.
Liquor shops, cinemas and beauty parlours were closed in the Kashmir Valley after the separatist revolt against New Delhi's rule broke out.
A few alcohol shops and one cinema hall reopened in Srinagar three years ago along with beauty parlours.
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