Operation Sindoor: Schools Closed Across Five Jammu & Kashmir Districts Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions

Jammu & Kashmir | May 7, 2025—In a decisive response to rising cross-border hostilities, the administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across five border districts in Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. The measure, which went into effect today, affects schools, colleges, and universities in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch—regions most vulnerable to the fallout from intensifying India-Pakistan tensions.

The sweeping shutdown comes less than 24 hours after the Indian Armed Forces launched precision missile strikes on multiple terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack 2025, which claimed numerous lives and reignited concerns about cross-border militancy.

Why Are Schools Closed Today in Jammu & Kashmir?
Today's primary reason for the J&K school closure news is the deteriorating security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). The government has activated Operation Sindoor, a high-alert security protocol designed to prevent civilian casualties during military operations in border zones.

Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar confirmed the closures via an official statement, citing threats to student and staff safety due to increased shelling and retaliatory threats from across the border.
“All educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch will remain closed today, May 7, as a precautionary measure amid rising border tensions,” Kumar posted on X (formerly Twitter), using the hashtag #OperationSindoor.

Details of the Missile Strikes: Targeting Terror Camps
According to Defence Ministry sources, Indian armed forces launched coordinated missile strikes on the night of May 6, targeting at least nine known terror facilities across the border. Among the key targets:

• A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) command post in Bahawalpur
• A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training camp in Muridke

These Bahawalpur missile strikes and Muridke terror facility hits form part of a broader military doctrine aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure that supports insurgency and terrorist attacks inside Indian territory.
Senior military officials have stated that the strikes were carried out with “surgical precision” to avoid civilian areas, but acknowledged that retaliatory shelling by Pakistan’s military has already led to a dangerous uptick in violence along border villages.

Civilian Deaths and Rising Risk: Urgency Behind School Closures
In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, three civilians lost their lives due to indiscriminate shelling by Pakistani forces along the LoC and the IB. Among the deceased were a 14-year-old schoolboy, a woman, and an elderly man, all residing in a village close to the border in the Poonch district.

These tragic civilian deaths in Jammu border areas have amplified the urgency for government action. Authorities have emphasized that the safety of students, educators, and non-teaching staff cannot be compromised, prompting the temporary shutdown of educational institutions in J&K.

What This Means for Parents and Students
For residents of the affected districts, the school holidays in Jammu due to border tension are a stark reminder of the region’s volatile geography. Local school administrations have urged parents to stay home, monitor official updates, and avoid any non-essential movement, especially near border-adjacent areas.

Students are advised to:

• Check school websites and helplines for updates on reopening
• Follow local news for academic schedule changes
• Stay indoors and prioritize personal safety

Some schools are also exploring online classes or supplementary academic support to ensure that learning remains uninterrupted should the situation prolong.
Safety Advisory for Border Residents

The local administration has issued a safety advisory for border residents, requesting them to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert to evolving security advisories. Emergency evacuation protocols have been activated in high-risk villages near Rajouri and Poonch, where shelling continues intermittently.

In coordination with the Indian Army and Border Security Forces (BSF), temporary shelters have been established in community halls and government schools in safer zones. Medical teams have been dispatched to these shelters, and the district authorities are providing food and sanitation supplies.

Operation Sindoor: What Is It and Why Was It Activated?
Operation Sindoor is a codename used by the J&K administration to signify a civilian safety protocol triggered during heightened border hostilities. It enables the administration to quickly:

• Suspend civilian activity near military zones
• Evacuate border villages if needed
• Provide emergency health and relief support
• Ensure minimal civilian movement to aid defence operations

In recent years, Operation Sindoor has been rarely invoked, highlighting the gravity of the current India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Officials suggest the current operation could remain active for several days, depending on how the situation unfolds.

Reaction from the Education Sector
Teachers' unions and school administrators have endorsed the closures, calling them a "necessary decision" under the circumstances.

“While it’s disappointing to see education disrupted, we understand and support the administration’s decision. Student safety is paramount,” said Neelam Raina, principal of a government higher secondary school in Kathua.
University officials from Jammu University and the University of Poonch have also issued advisories suspending in-person classes and postponing scheduled exams.

Long-Term Concerns and National Implications
Escaping border tensions and resultant school closures may have national policy implications. Analysts believe the government may soon introduce revised border schooling policies, possibly including:

• Military-protected education zones
• Online education infrastructure for border schools
• Contingency protocols for academic continuity during conflicts

Educational think tanks are also urging the Ministry of Education to invest in crisis-resilient learning models for border areas, where closures are becoming an unfortunate but necessary reality.

Conclusion: Safety First, Education Next
The closure of schools across five J&K border districts under Operation Sindoor is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by civilians in conflict-prone areas. As the country continues to respond to external threats and safeguard its sovereignty, the well-being of non-combatants — especially children — remains a priority.

With ongoing India-Pakistan tensions in May 2025, families in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch are urged to stay alert and follow every safety advisory issued by district authorities. While the current focus is on public protection, the administration assures that education will resume once the situation stabilizes.

Until then, the message is clear: Safety comes first — always.