Days after shelling, drone attacks by Pakistan: What’s the situation in border areas of J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan?

NEW DELHI: Border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat remained largely peaceful for the last two nights after ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Life in the border districts, including Poonch, Reasi, Srinagar, Rajouri, Jaisalmer, Barmer and more, returned to normalcy, however, a few districts struggle to resume normal activities.

Relations between India and Pakistan witnessed new lows after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. India blamed Pakistan for harbouring terrorists in its territory and sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

Following the horrifying attack in J&K's Pahalgam, PM Modi vowed action against Pakistan for supporting terrorists and the aim was achieved after India launched strikes on nine terror hideouts and infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor on May 7.

Pakistan, in despair, then attempted numerous missile and drone attacks that were thwarted by India's air defence system. After the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, several border districts are operating normally.

Here's how the current situation is in different border areas:

Jammu and Kashmir: Schools reopen, normalcy returned, but drone sighted
Several border districts in Jammu and Kashmir returned to normalcy. People in Srinagar, Poonch, Baramulla, Udampur, Katra and more were seen resuming their work. Students in school uniforms were also spotted as schools reopen in different districts.

• Srinagar: Schools have reopened in the district after the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
• Poonch: Life slowly returned to normalcy in shelling-hit Poonch.
• Udampur: People were seen going to work, and shops were open in Udampur. However, all government and private schools remain closed as a precautionary measure in the district.
• Rajouri: Life returned to normalcy in Rajouri. Meanwhile, Indian Army managed to defuse unexploded shells in the residential areas of villages near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri.
• Reasi: Life returned to normal in the districts and students were seen going to schools.
• Samba: Drones were sighted in Samba on the night of May 12. Local residents of Samba said that blasts were heard on Monday night and splinters hit one of the houses.

Punjab: Surveillance drone brought down, schools remain shut

• Amritsar: Schools remained closed on Tuesday. Colleges and universities also remained shut. A blackout was enforced in the district on Monday night as a precautionary measure
• Pathankot: Schools, colleges and universities remained shut today in the district.
• Fazilka: All schools in the district remained closed today.
• Hoshiarpur (Dasuya and Mukerian areas): A blackout was enforced on Monday night as a precautionary measure.
• Jalandhar: A surveillance drone was brought down by the Indian armed forces near Mand village on Monday night.

Rajasthan: Residents carrying on with their daily routines

• Jaisalmer: Schools and markets reopened today after being closed on May 7. People were seen shopping in markets and resuming daily routines.
• Barmer: Normalcy has returned, with people seen going about their daily activities. No drone sightings, firing, or shelling incidents were reported.