In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Jammu and Kashmir education department has launched a wartime safety training program for schools located along the Line of Control (LoC). The initiative aims to equip students with life-saving knowledge and survival techniques amidst rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
The April 22 attack, which took place in the Baisaran valley and targeted mostly tourists, marked the deadliest act of terrorism in Kashmir since Pulwama in 2019. It has reignited hostilities along the LoC, with Pakistani forces violating the ceasefire for six consecutive nights. In response, the Indian Army has launched counter-operations, including retaliatory fire in Jammu’s Pargwal sector.
Schools in villages like Tulawari — situated just 200 meters from Pakistani bunkers — are now at the center of this volatile landscape. The new safety training includes emergency drills, instruction on how to shield against artillery fire, and guidance on actions to take during wartime scenarios. Both teachers and students are undergoing the sessions, supported by local security and civil authorities.
Residents recall that Tulawari’s school was previously targeted during periods of heavy shelling, but had enjoyed a few years of peace until recent events reignited fears. With the spectre of conflict looming once again, concerns are growing over the lack of adequate infrastructure to protect civilians, particularly children.
Currently, Tulawari has only two community bunkers — insufficient for the entire population, let alone its schoolchildren. Educators and parents are urging authorities to bolster safety infrastructure, including the construction of more bunkers and reinforced shelters, to ensure the community is better prepared for possible escalation.
As tensions continue to escalate, the region remains on high alert. The safety training initiative represents a critical, if somber, step toward safeguarding the next generation in one of India’s most militarized and vulnerable frontiers.
