Schools and colleges in Rajouri district reopened on Monday, marking a cautious return to normalcy following a tense period of cross-border shelling between India and Pakistan. The resumption of classes comes days after both nations agreed to a cessation of hostilities on May 10, following weeks of escalated military engagement.
Educational institutions in the border district had been shut as a safety measure amid the shelling. With the ceasefire now in effect and the situation gradually improving, local authorities have allowed schools and colleges to resume operations. Visuals from the district show students returning to classrooms and residents attempting to restart daily routines.
Locals, however, remain wary. “Even now, we shut shops by 4 or 5 pm and return early in the morning,” said Neeras Sin, a hotel worker in Rajouri. “Footfall is still low. Earlier, we had regular customers. There’s still a fear in the air.”
The cross-border shelling, which intensified after India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, had forced businesses to close and disrupted daily life. The operation targeted over 100 terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan’s response included shelling and attempted drone strikes, further escalating tensions until a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10.
Despite the ceasefire, residents like Khalilur Rahman remain cautious. “Shops have opened and people are buying essentials, but the fear hasn’t left us. Only peace can bring back true normalcy,” he said.
Financial hardship also weighs heavily on residents. “For middle-class families who earn and eat daily, this instability is devastating,” said another local. “When shelling happens, everything collapses. Survival becomes a daily struggle.”
An 85-year-old man from the border area shared an emotional appeal for peace. “I’ve lived through the wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971, but I’ve never seen such terrifying shelling. We want to live without fear. Shops are opening, but fear still lingers. Labourers have left, work has stopped, and children haven’t been able to attend school.”
Construction projects too remain stalled. “When shelling started, the labourers left. Most haven’t returned yet,” said Ravid Ahmed, who works on road and bridge infrastructure. “Until they come back, we can’t resume work.”
While schools and some markets have reopened, full recovery will take time. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of students and residents. Locals hope the ceasefire holds, allowing peace to return permanently to the conflict-weary region.
Sources By Agencies
