In response to heightened tensions along the Indo-Pak border following a major counter-terror operation by Indian armed forces, authorities in Punjab and Rajasthan ordered the closure of all schools in several border districts on Wednesday.
In Punjab, schools in Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur districts remained shut as a precautionary measure. “The Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner issued an order that all schools in the district will remain closed on Wednesday,” officials said. They added that “all schools in Pathankot will also remain shut for the next 72 hours.”
The closures came in the wake of missile strikes carried out by Indian forces early Wednesday under ‘Operation Sindoor’. The military action targeted nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Jaish-e-Mohammad’s stronghold in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for the terror attack in Pahalgam two weeks ago, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
Similar preventive measures were taken in Rajasthan, where all government and private schools were closed in four border districts—Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Barmer. “Schools have been closed and all the preparations for the mock drills have been completed,” an official told PTI, adding that the districts are on alert.
Mock drills, instructed by the Centre, are also scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Rajasthan as part of heightened security preparedness. The state, which shares a 1,070 km-long border with Pakistan, holds strategic significance and has been placed on high alert in view of recent developments.
Officials emphasized that the closures were precautionary and aimed at ensuring the safety of students amid rising cross-border tensions.