CHANDIGARH, May 7 — Schools in several border districts of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir remained closed on Wednesday as a precautionary measure following Indian missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, officials said.
The district administrations of Amritsar, Fazilka, and Ferozepur in Punjab ordered the closure to ensure student safety amid heightened tensions. “This is a precautionary step in view of the current situation,” said a Punjab government official. “Schools will remain closed until further notice.”
A similar directive was issued in Jammu and Kashmir, where all educational institutions in districts including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch have been shut for the day. Officials said the situation would be reviewed regularly and further decisions made based on developments on the ground.
The Indian Army launched “Operation Sindoor” early Wednesday, striking nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including facilities linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba terror groups.
The military action came two weeks after 26 civilians were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The tension escalated further last night when Pakistani forces opened fire along the border, killing three civilians, according to local officials.
While some schools initially informed parents that the closure would last only a day, authorities have now advised families to stay in contact with school administrations for updates.
“We’ve been told to wait for further instructions,” said Rajdeep Kaur, a parent from Ferozepur. “Safety comes first, so we’re staying home for now.”
