Schools, colleges shut in five Jammu districts as border tensions rise

Tensions along the India-Pakistan border have led authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to shut down educational institutions across five districts on May 7, citing safety concerns for students and staff.

The districts affected by the closure include Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch.

The move follows a series of missile strikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), launched in retaliation for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

Key militant bases were hit in the operation, including a Jaish-e-Mohammad facility in Bahawalpur and a Lashkar-e-Taiba site in Muridke.

Defense officials described the strikes as part of a broader effort to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure and send a strong response to recent provocations.

"All schools, colleges, and educational institutions in the affected districts will remain shut for the day," Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the emergency measure.

The situation on the ground has been further complicated by reports of heavy shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.

Defense sources said three civilians were killed in overnight firing by Pakistani forces, prompting local authorities to act swiftly in the interest of public safety.

For families in the region, the school closures underscore the growing uncertainty and risks posed by the deteriorating security situation.

Parents have been urged to stay updated through official channels for any further instructions or changes.