Early Times Report
Jammu, May 2: More than 1,000 madrasas across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) have been closed for at least 10 days, local authorities announced on Friday.
According to sources, the closures were prompted by growing fears of a possible Indian strike. India has previously alleged that some of these religious institutions are being used as safe havens for terrorists.
Residents in the region suspect that while a full-scale war between India and Pakistan is unlikely, targeted airstrikes along the Line of Control (LoC) remain a real possibility. They cite the 2019 Balakot airstrike—where Indian Air Force jets targeted an alleged terrorist training camp linked to Maulana Masood Azhar in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province—as a precedent.
“Over 1,000 madrasas across the Kashmir region have been shut for a minimum of 10 days as per government directives. Holidays have been announced for the students,” reports confirmed.
The prec The closures were prompted by growing fears of a possible Indian strike.
India has previously alleged that some of these religious institutions are being used as safe havens for terrorists.
Residents are of the opinion that there is every possibility of targeted airstrikes along the Line of Control (LoC).
They cite the 2019 Balakot airstrike—where IAF jets targeted a terrorist training camp linked to Maulana Masood Azhar.
“The decision to suspend flights to the northern areas was taken after a reassessment of national airspace safety protocols. All other flights to Pakistan’s northern regions have also been temporarily halted as a precaution,” officials stated.
Additionally, Pakistan has begun closely monitoring foreign flights, particularly those operating in airspace shared with India. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been instructed to thoroughly scrutinise all inbound international aircraft.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has launched full-scale military exercises near the Indian border, along both the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, as a show of preparedness to respond to any potential military action from India. | 