Chandigarh, May 7, 2025 — Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Pathankot district administration in Punjab has declared a high alert following the recent missile strikes under Operation Sindoor. As a precautionary measure, all schools in Pathankot and surrounding areas, including Ferozepur and Amritsar, have been closed for the next 72 hours, with the Deputy Commissioner of Pathankot issuing the closure order. This precaution comes in the wake of a sharp escalation of military actions, following India's missile strikes on nine terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India's Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, saw the Indian Armed Forces carry out precision missile strikes against key terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. The action was a direct retaliation for the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed, including 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. The Indian government’s statement confirmed that the missile strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure used by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both Pakistan-based militant groups. Bahawalpur (home to JeM’s headquarters) and Muridke (where LeT’s base is located) in Punjab were among the key sites targeted during the strikes.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) emphasized that the missile attacks were focused and measured, asserting that no Pakistani military facilities had been targeted. The MoD also emphasized that the actions were non-escalatory, aiming solely at terrorist infrastructure used by groups planning and launching attacks against India. The government of India reiterated its commitment to holding those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre accountable, with a stern warning against the continued harboring of terrorists within Pakistan.

The missile strikes have heightened security concerns across Punjab, particularly in districts bordering Pakistan, including Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Amritsar, where schools and colleges were closed as a precaution. Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh was also placed on high alert, with flights cancelled until 12 noon and mock drills planned for later in the day. The Indian Army, Air Force, and Border Security Force (BSF) are closely monitoring all movements along the border, ensuring tight control over cross-border activities.

Indian officials have categorically stated that the operation was a measured response aimed at neutralizing terrorist infrastructure without targeting civilian or military installations in Pakistan. While the government has reaffirmed its right to defend the nation, both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army have been placed on a high state of readiness, prepared for any retaliatory moves.

Pakistan's response to the strikes remains a critical point of concern. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other high-ranking officials in Pakistan have previously indicated that any action by India in their territory would provoke a forceful retaliatory response. As of now, there has been no official statement from Pakistan regarding these recent developments, though military spokespersons have expressed strong condemnation of India’s military actions.

Operation Sindoor follows a series of escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, particularly after incidents like the Pulwama bombing and Balakot airstrike in 2019. Both nations have continued to accuse each other of supporting terrorism and militancy across their shared border, with the Kashmir conflict at the heart of these hostilities.

With international observers closely monitoring the situation, the current military exchange further fuels concerns about the potential for broader conflict. The global community, including the United Nations and key global powers, has called for both nations to exercise restraint and avoid full-scale military conflict. Given the sensitive nature of the situation, it is hoped that diplomatic channels will remain open to prevent further escalation.

This latest chapter in the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions demonstrates once again the volatility of the region and the challenge of finding lasting peace amid frequent security incidents.

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