In a big crackdown on terrorist activities, the Centre has banned 14 mobile messaging applications which were allegedly being used by terror groups, largely in Jammu and Kashmir, to communicate with their supporters and Over Ground Workers (OGW) and also receive instructions from Pakistan, sources said, reports NDTV.

Enigma, Crypviser, Safeswiss, Mediafire, Wickrme, BChat, Briar, Nandbox, IMO, Conion, Element, Zangi, Second Line and Threema are the list of apps banned by the government. Government took such an action on the reccomendation of security and intelligence agencies.

These apps were banned under Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the official said.

"Agencies keep track of channels used by Overground workers (OGWs) and terrorists to communicate among themselves. While tracking down one of the communication, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India, and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app," an official said.