Jammu: The School Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday announced that all government and private schools in the districts of Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, and Samba will remain closed on May 14 as a precautionary measure.
The order, issued by the Directorate of School Education, did not specify any detailed reason for the closure, but it is understood to be linked to heightened security concerns following Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
Meanwhile, schools in Udhampur district and the zones of Bani, Basholi, Mahanpur, Bhaddu, Malhar, and Billawar in Kathua district will remain open on the same day, the statement clarified.
“All Govt and Pvt schools in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch & Samba districts will remain closed tomorrow on 14 May, 2025. However, all Govt and Pvt schools in district Udhampur and Bani, Basholi, Mahanpur, Bhaddu, Malhar and Billawar zones of district Kathua shall open tomorrow,” said the official statement.
Backdrop: Security Situation Post Operation Sindoor
The closure decision comes in the wake of India’s precision military strikes under Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). These actions were in direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Indian forces neutralised over 100 terrorists, destroyed nine camps, and repelled retaliatory Pakistani aggression, including drone and air attacks. While both nations have since agreed to cease all hostilities, precautionary measures remain in place in sensitive areas.
Security First: Officials on Alert
Authorities are maintaining vigilance across border districts amid fears of potential retaliation or unrest. While calm prevails, temporary closures such as this reflect the administration’s intent to prioritise the safety of students and staff.