In the wake of India’s pre-dawn missile strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have ordered the closure of schools, colleges, and universities across several border districts. The University of Kashmir has also cancelled all exams scheduled for Wednesday, citing security concerns.
The strikes, which were launched in retaliation for the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people — most of them tourists — targeted nine locations. These included key terror hubs such as Jaish-e-Mohammed’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s facility in Muridke, as confirmed by security sources.
“In view of the prevailing situation, all schools, colleges and educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch will remain closed today,” Divisional Commissioner of Jammu Ramesh Kumar announced on social media platform X.
A similar advisory was issued for parts of the Kashmir Valley. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, confirmed that schools and colleges in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Gurez would also remain shut on Wednesday.
University Exams Cancelled
Amid mounting tensions, the University of Kashmir announced a blanket cancellation of all exams for the day. “In light of the current security situation, all university examinations scheduled for today stand cancelled,” read the official statement from the university administration.
Civilian Casualties and 13 Nights of Cross-Border Shelling
As cross-border hostilities escalate, officials reported that three civilians were killed and nine others injured in heavy shelling and firing by Pakistan’s military on Tuesday night — marking the 13th consecutive night of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).
Among the deceased was a woman in Poonch district’s Mankote area, whose home was hit by a mortar shell. Her 13-year-old daughter sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
The shelling, which extended across various sectors in the Poonch region, left nine civilians injured. Authorities confirmed that all are in stable condition.
Renewed Hostilities After Years of Calm
The recent spate of hostilities represents a sharp escalation in tensions not seen since India and Pakistan reaffirmed their ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. The fragile calm along the border had held for over three years.
However, the calm shattered on the night of April 24, just hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty as a diplomatic response to the Pahalgam attack. Since then, Pakistani troops have initiated multiple unprovoked firing incidents along the LoC, starting from Kupwara and Baramulla and spreading to Poonch and Akhnoor sectors in the Jammu region.
Border Residents on Edge
Residents in border areas are living under constant fear, as frequent shelling and the threat of further escalation loom large. Emergency services have been put on alert, and bomb shelters have been opened in several vulnerable locations.
As India vows to respond strongly to cross-border terrorism, officials are urging civilians to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories.
Sources By Agencies