40 bank branches stop transactions across Valley

With a series of bank robberies being reported, banks in Kashmir have stopped cash transactions at 40 branches in the vulnerable areas of the southern districts of Pulwama and Shopian.

A bank official said the decision was taken following a police advisory to evade “further raids for cash by ultras”.  “We were told that the security agencies have inputs about more bank robberies, so we acted accordingly and stopped cash dealings at the branches listed as sensitive,” he said.

Rest as normal

However, other banking business is going on as usual at all the 40 branches.  “All ATMs are functional in the twin districts and cash is being loaded as usual. Customers in the areas where cash transactions have been barred can approach the nearest branches. The suspension of cash transactions will be resumed after the threat of robberies ceases,” the official said.

Cash transactions were stopped at the branches of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Ellaquai Dehati Bank, which were targeted by militants  in Pulwama and Shopian districts.