Airtel expands connectivity to remote Kashmir border villages 

Bharti Airtel has partnered with the Indian Army to deploy 15 mobile towers in remote villages along the Line of Control (LOC) in North Kashmir’s Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipore districts. The initiative, aligned with the PM Vibrant Village Programme, brings telecommunications services to previously unconnected regions.

The shares of Bharti Airtel Limited were trading at ₹1,602.50 down by ₹12.80 or 0.79 per cent on the NSE today at 11.55 am.

The newly connected villages include Kachhal, Balbir, Razdan Pass, Taya Top, Ustad, Kathi, and Cheema, located in the Keran, Machhal, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri valley regions. Airtel is currently the sole private telecom operator providing services in these areas.

The project serves dual purposes: supporting local populations and enhancing communication for soldiers stationed along the border. It enables military personnel to maintain contact with their families and improve operational coordination.

This expansion follows Airtel’s recent connectivity efforts in other strategic locations, including the Galwan River region and Daulat Beg Oldie (BDO), India’s northernmost military outpost.

As part of its broader network, Airtel operates across 15 countries with over 550 million customers and ranks among the top three mobile operators globally.