SRINAGAR: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday ordered the closure of all educational institutions across ten districts for Thursday, May 8, in view of the escalating border tensions and ongoing security operations following deadly cross-border shelling and retaliatory strikes.
According to official directives, all government and private schools, colleges and educational institutions in the Jammu division’s five border districts—Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch—will remain closed as a precautionary measure. The order was issued by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu.
A similar directive has been issued in the Kashmir division, where all educational institutions in Baramulla, Kupwara, Gurez, as well as areas around Awantipora and the Srinagar Airport, will remain shut on Thursday. The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir cited “prevailing security concerns” as the reason for the closure.
The widespread closure follows a sharp escalation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), where 12 civilians, including children and women, were killed and over 50 injured in Pakistani.
The situation intensified after India launched Operation Sindoor, a missile strike operation targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The retaliatory action came after a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 civilians dead.
Amid fears of further hostilities, both the Jammu and Kashmir administrations have been evacuating residents from vulnerable border areas and establishing temporary shelters. Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure the provision of food, medical aid, transport and safety for the affected populations.
Officials said that the decision to close educational institutions was taken in the interest of student safety and as part of broader precautionary measures being implemented across the region.kashmir life