Authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have ordered the closure of more than 1,000 religious schools over growing fears of a potential military escalation with India following a deadly attack last week.
Hafiz Nazeer Ahmed, the head of the Kashmir Department of Religious Affairs, announced a 10-day break for all madrassas in the region. A department source confirmed the decision was driven by rising border tensions and the threat of armed conflict.
Around 1.5 million people live near the Line of Control (LoC) in AJK, many of whom are now preparing underground bunkers—ranging from simple mud-walled shelters to more secure, concrete-reinforced structures.
“For the past week, we’ve lived in fear—especially for our children’s safety,” said Iftikhar Ahmad Mir, a shopkeeper in Chakothi near the LoC. “We make sure they come straight home after school and don’t stay outside.”
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In Muzaffarabad, emergency services have begun conducting evacuation and emergency response training in schools. Eleven-year-old Ali Raza, one of the trainees, shared, “We’ve learned how to dress wounds, carry someone on a stretcher, and extinguish fires.”
According to the Civil Defence directorate, training sessions have already been held in 13 schools. “Schools are among the first affected in any conflict, so we’re prioritizing safety drills for children,” said Abdul Basit Moughal, a trainer with the agency.
The Civil Defence team plans to expand its efforts by deploying rescue workers to schools located along the LoC in the coming days.
