In a New Year gift, Jammu and Kashmir government today lifted the ban on Short Messaging Services (SMS) on all post-paid mobile phone subscribers in the state but refrained from withdrawing it on pre-paid cell phones.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah which was attended by state police chief Kuldeep Khoda, Home Secretary B R Sharma and senior officials of central intelligence agencies, an official spokesman said.

A decision was taken to revoke the ban on SMS services in Jammu and Kashmir on all post-paid connections after reviewing the overall security situation in the state. However, the ban on post-paid bulk messages will continue.

According to the order issued today to mobile service operators, SMS service to post-paid subscribers only shall be permitted.

"Bulk SMS services of licensed telecommunication operators and public utility agencies like railways, airlines, scheduled banks and electricity boards shall be permitted for post-paid subscribers only," the order said.

However, the order made it clear that bulk messages generated from various Internet portals, Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) clients of various telecom service providers should be disallowed by all licensed telecom service providers including their franchisees.

The order also said SMS services to all pre-paid mobile subscribers shall remain suspended till further orders.

"It is further clarified that SMS facility to post-paid subscribers shall be allowed only after taking all necessary measures to ensure that SMS is blocked to all pre-paid subscribers," the order, which comes nine days ahead of New Year, said.

The ban was imposed in June this year following widespread unrest in the Valley, which was further fuelled by bulk messages sent in by anti-national forces.