Flight Operations Disrupted; Schools, Colleges in J&K Parts Remain Shut
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, May 07: At least 13 people, including four children, were killed, and 57 others were injured on Wednesday in shelling by the Pakistani Army in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Line of Control (LoC). Poonch district bore the brunt of the attack, accounting for all civilian fatalities. Additionally, more than 50 people were injured, with several in critical condition.
The escalation followed strikes by the Indian Armed Forces on terrorist infrastructure and sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under “Operation Sindoor.” Officials told Kashmir Despatch that the Indian Army is responding firmly to the shelling, inflicting significant casualties on the Pakistani side and destroying multiple enemy posts involved in the attack.
Shelling was reported across multiple areas along the LoC in Poonch, including Balakote, Mendhar, Mankote, Krishna Ghati, Gulpur, Kerni, and even the Poonch district headquarters. Officials added that dozens of houses and vehicles were damaged in the attacks.
Ten people, including five children, were injured in Poonch, while three others were wounded in Rajouri district. In the Karnah sector of Kupwara, several houses caught fire due to the shelling.
This marks the 13th consecutive night of unprovoked cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir as tensions continue to escalate following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Flight Services Disrupted Across Northern India
Due to the escalating situation and changes in airspace regulations, flight services at several Indian airports—particularly those near the India-Pakistan border and key Indian Air Force bases—have been affected.
Some airports in North India have been closed to civilian flights, leading Indian airlines to cancel several flights to and from these locations for most of Wednesday. Airlines have warned that the disruptions may spread across their networks, affecting flight schedules in other parts of the country. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status before traveling and plan accordingly.
According to Flightradar24, which monitors global air traffic, no flight movements were recorded early this morning over Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.
Flight operations were also impacted at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, with passengers urged to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.
Air India announced cancellations for flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until noon. The airline also diverted two international flights bound for Amritsar.
In a statement, Air India said: “In view of the prevailing situation, Air India has cancelled all its flights to and from the following stations—Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot—till 12 noon on May 7, pending further updates from authorities. Two international flights en route to Amritsar are being diverted to Delhi.”
IndiGo reported disruptions in services to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner due to airspace conditions.
SpiceJet stated that flight arrivals and departures were likely to be affected by the shutdown of airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar.
Akasa Air cancelled all flights to Srinagar, citing the airport’s closure for civilian use.
Schools Shut in Border States
Due to heightened tensions along the border, schools and colleges in several districts across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan have been closed.
In Kashmir, schools are shut in Kupwara, Baramulla, and Gurez. In Jammu, closures extend to Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. In Punjab, educational institutions in Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar districts have also been shut.
The University of Kashmir has postponed all exams scheduled for May 7, 2025. Later in the evening, the university extended the postponement of exams until May 10.
Authorities Urge Public to Stay Indoors
In a statement issued to Kashmir Despatch, authorities on Wednesday urged residents of Karnah to stay indoors due to the prevailing situation.
A government spokesman said: “In view of the current situation, the general public of Sub-Division Karnah is requested not to assemble outside on roads, streets, or near shops. People are advised to stay indoors and refrain from venturing out. Additionally, vehicles should not be parked along roadsides, especially on congested roads. Construction materials dumped along roadsides must be removed immediately. Anyone found violating these instructions will face strict action.”
24×7 Joint Control Room Set Up at DC Office Srinagar
In response to the situation, the District Administration of Srinagar has established a round-the-clock Joint Control Room at the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) in the DC Office, Srinagar.
As per an official order issued by District Magistrate Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat (IAS), the control room will operate 24/7 under the supervision of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to ensure interdepartmental coordination, monitor developments, and facilitate timely information dissemination.
The control room will also serve as a grievance redressal platform for the public, enabling swift resolution of issues in real time. Citizens can contact the control room via the following numbers:
- Landline: 0194-2483651, 0194-2457552, 0194-2457543
- WhatsApp/Mobile: 9103998355, 9103998356, 9103998357, 9103998358
Officials from various departments, including police, SDRF, municipal corporations, transport, and health, have been instructed to coordinate with the control room for efficient emergency response.
No Leave to Be Sanctioned Except in Exceptional Cases: J&K Govt
The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued strict instructions to all departments, directing them not to sanction any leave for employees due to the current situation, except under exceptional circumstances.
A government memo states: “In view of the prevailing situation, all Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments are directed not to sanction any kind of leave for employees, except in exceptional cases.”
The directive indicates a heightened alert status within the administration, ensuring full manpower availability during this period.
Meanwhile, in light of the prevailing security situation, security forces across Kashmir have entered a state of heightened alert. This proactive measure comes in the wake of recent events that have raised concerns about public safety and regional stability.
In an effort to ensure the safety of citizens and maintain law and order, authorities have greatly intensified naka checking and established additional checkpoints throughout the valley. These measures are particularly pronounced in border areas.
Post Operation Sindoor, the security forces have been vigilant in monitoring suspicious activities. Patrols have increased in key areas, and intelligence units are working round-the-clock to gather and analyze information.
The collaboration between different branches of the security forces has also been emphasized, with joint operations and coordinated efforts being undertaken to ensure effectiveness of this operation. The local population is being encouraged to cooperate with the authorities during this period of increased vigilance, as these measures are designed to protect the community and uphold peace in the region.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
