Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir is showing early signs of recovery and calm following days of high alert and cross-border tension between India and Pakistan, culminating in a ceasefire agreement reached on May 10. A key indicator of the return to normal life was the reopening of all government and private schools, which had remained shut for nearly a week due to security concerns.
Students Express Relief and Gratitude
Schoolchildren, many seen in uniform early Wednesday morning, expressed both excitement and relief at being able to resume their studies.
“I’m extremely happy that classes have resumed. We need an environment where we can focus on our studies, but due to the tension between India and Pakistan, everyone was in a state of panic,” said Palak Sharma, a student at Brahmrishi Bawra Shanti Vidya Peeth School.
Samragi, another student from the same school, added, “I’m really happy to reunite with my classmates after such a long break. I’m also grateful to the Indian Army, as they ensured our safety and helped bring everything back to normal.”
Schools Remain Shut in Other Districts
While Udhampur has seen a return to academic activity, the School Education Department announced that all government and private schools in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, and Samba districts will remain closed today (May 14) as a precautionary measure, despite no official reason being cited in the Directorate’s order.
In contrast, schools in the following zones remain open:
- Udhampur District
- Bani, Basholi, Mahanpur, Bhaddu, Malhar, and Billawar zones of Kathua District
Background: Operation Sindoor and Regional Tensions
The closures and heightened alert in the region stemmed from the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). The military operation resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Following retaliatory shelling and drone activity from Pakistan, Indian forces struck 11 enemy airbases, damaging radar systems, communication infrastructure, and military supply lines.
The situation stabilized after the Pakistan DGMO initiated contact with his Indian counterpart, leading to a mutual agreement to cease military action and cross-border firing.
As peace slowly returns to parts of Jammu and Kashmir, districts like Udhampur are setting a hopeful tone, especially for the region’s youth. Meanwhile, continued precautionary closures in nearby districts indicate that vigilance remains high in the aftermath of one of the most intense India-Pakistan military escalations in recent years.