Kashmir on edge; Schools in sensitive areas remain closed, fear palpable

Srinagar, May 7: A tense calm prevailed across Kashmir on Thursday following the fallout of ‘Operation Sindoor’, with life in many parts of the valley coming to a near standstill. While the operation’s precise details are coming out gradually, its impact on daily life is stark in Kashmir, marked by widespread anxiety and heightened security measures.

In response to the unfolding situation, several precautionary steps were swiftly implemented by the authorities. Civilian traffic at Srinagar International Airport was suspended, and a number of educational institutions in sensitive areas remain shut.

The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, confirmed the closure of schools and colleges in the border districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Gurez. Similar directives were issued for institutions in the vicinity of Srinagar Airport and Awantipora. While most schools and colleges across the Valley remained officially open, attendance was thin as apprehensive parents chose to keep their children at home. “There is fear in the air. We can’t take any risks with our kids,” said Nissar Ahmad, a father of two from Rajbagh Srinagar.

Adding to the unease, hospitals in the summer capital, Srinagar, have prominently marked their buildings with red crosses – a standard international symbol used to denote medical facilities during conflicts – signaling the gravity of the situation. The University of Kashmir has already announced the postponement of all examinations scheduled till May 10. “Fresh dates for the postponed papers shall be notified separately,” the University said in a statement.

Despite it being a working weekday, the roads in Srinagar witnessed less traffic on Thursday. Commercial activity in major markets slowed down sharply. Residents were seen queuing up at fuel stations and pharmacies, stocking up on essentials amid growing uncertainty. Panic buying led to hoarding of ration supplies, with many shops reporting dwindling stocks by afternoon. “We pray the situation does not spiral out of hand. It’s Kashmir that always pays the cost of a war. Let sanity prevail and peace follow,” said Abdul Khaliq a shopkeeper in Batamaloo.

Tourist destinations like Gulmarg, usually bustling with visitors, now resemble ghost towns. The iconic Gulmarg Gondola has been suspended indefinitely. Reports said that there was a sharp drop in tourist footfall, further dampening an already tense atmosphere. Meanwhile, relentless rains have triggered the closure of the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, adding to the public’s woes and further disrupting the supply chain. Queues formed outside petrol pumps as panic buying spread through the Valley, with reports of hoarding surfacing from various districts. In view of the situation, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued strict orders against the sanctioning of leave for government employees, barring exceptional cases. To manage the crisis more effectively, a 24x7 Joint Control Room has been set up in Srinagar. Officials said it will serve as a centralised hub for interdepartmental coordination, real-time monitoring, and dissemination of public advisories.

The aftershocks of Operation Sindoor are being deeply felt across Kashmir. With palpable fear in the air and a cloud of uncertainty looming over the Valley, residents are once again bracing for what they fear could be a long and difficult period.