Schools Reopen in Jammu and Kashmir Border Areas as Tensions Ease Between India and Pakistan

In a welcome move towards normalcy, the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, has announced the reopening of schools in several border regions of Jammu and Kashmir from May 15. The decision follows a period of heightened tension between India and Pakistan, which had led to the temporary closure of educational institutions for safety reasons.

Students across districts like Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch are returning to classrooms after nearly a week-long suspension of academic activities. Zones in Jammu such as Chowki Choura, Bhalwal, Dansal, Gandhi Nagar, and Jammu are reopening their schools. In Samba, classes have resumed in the Vijaypur zone.

Kathua district has also restarted educational operations in Barnoti, Lakhanpur, Sallan, and Ghagwal. In Rajouri, the affected zones of Peeri, Kalakote, Thanamandi, Moghla, Kotranka, Khawas, Lower Hathal, and Darhal have reopened schools. Similarly, in Poonch, educational institutions in Surankote and Buffliaz have resumed functioning.

The move is a significant step towards restoring daily life and ensuring continuity in students’ education in these sensitive regions. The recent truce between India and Pakistan, marked by a halt in cross-border hostilities, has paved the way for this reopening.

In Udhampur and parts of Kathua district—specifically Bani, Basholi, Mahanpur, Bhaddu, Malhar, and Billawar—government and private schools are also now operational. Morning visuals from Udhampur captured children enthusiastically returning to school in uniform, signaling a collective sigh of relief among families.

This return to routine follows a tense period that began after the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives. India responded with targeted strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, reportedly neutralizing over 100 militants.

The situation escalated briefly with retaliatory moves from Pakistan, but Indian Armed Forces swiftly countered the aggression. De-escalation efforts gained momentum after the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his Indian counterpart, resulting in an understanding to cease further military actions.

As classrooms once again fill with students and communities resume their daily rhythms, the reopening of schools stands as a hopeful indicator of peace returning to the border regions.

Source: ANI

Imagine credit: iStock