Days after shelling, drone attacks by Pakistan: What's the situation in border areas of J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan?

NEW DELHI: Border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat remained largely peaceful for the last two nights after ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Life in the border districts, including Poonch, Reasi, Srinagar, Rajouri, Jaisalmer, Barmer and more, returned to normalcy, however, a few districts struggle to resume normal activities.

Relations between India and Pakistan witnessed new lows after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. India blamed Pakistan for harbouring terrorists in its territory and sponsoring cross-border terrorism .

Following the horrifying attack in J&K's Pahalgam, PM Modi vowed action against Pakistan for supporting terrorists and the aim was achieved after India launched strikes on nine terror hideouts and infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor on May 7.

Pakistan, in despair, then attempted numerous missile and drone attacks that were thwarted by India's air defence system. After the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, several border districts are operating normally.

Here's how the current situation is in different border areas:

Jammu and Kashmir: Schools reopen, normalcy returned, but drone sighted

Several border districts in Jammu and Kashmir returned to normalcy. People in Srinagar, Poonch, Baramulla, Udampur, Katra and more were seen resuming their work. Students in school uniforms were also spotted as schools reopen in different districts.

#WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir | Schools have reopened in Srinagar after cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan pic.twitter.com/bg9IwLZ5v0

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2025

• Srinagar: Schools have reopened in the district after the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
• Poonch: Life slowly returned to normalcy in shelling-hit Poonch.
• Udampur: People were seen going to work, and shops were open in Udampur. However, all government and private schools remain closed as a precautionary measure in the district.
• Rajouri: Life returned to normalcy in Rajouri. Meanwhile, Indian Army managed to defuse unexploded shells in the residential areas of villages near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri.
• Reasi: Life returned to normal in the districts and students were seen going to schools.
• Samba: Drones were sighted in Samba on the night of May 12. Local residents of Samba said that blasts were heard on Monday night and splinters hit one of the houses.

#WATCH | Life slowly returns to normal in shelling-hit Poonch of Jammu & Kashmir pic.twitter.com/XhU4PyRAUk

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2025

Punjab: Surveillance drone brought down, schools remain shut

Schools in Amritsar, Pathankot, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran remained closed on Tuesday. According to officials, a blackout was enforced in Amritsar and Hoshiarpur's Dasuya and Mukerian areas last night as a precautionary measure. Colleges and universities also remained shut in Pathankot and Amritsar.

One surveillance drone was brought down by the Indian armed forces near Mand village in Jalandhar on Monday night. "I have been informed that one surveillance drone was brought down by the Armed forces at around 9.20 pm near village Mand. The expert team is looking for the debris. It is requested that please do not go near the debris. If you find them, immediately inform the nearest police station. It has also been informed that no drone activity has been seen in Jalandhar since 10 pm," Jalandhar district collector (DC) Himanshu Aggarwal said.

Rajasthan: Residents carrying on with their daily routines

Border districts in Rajasthan are operating as usual after a few days of fear. Schools and markets in Jaisalmer and Barmer reopened today after being closed on May 7. No incidents of drones, firing, or shelling last night were reported.

#WATCH | Rajasthan | People go about their business as usual, as the situation is normal in Barmer. No drones, firing, or shelling were reported here last night pic.twitter.com/XUQc7rvw4e

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2025

People were seen shopping in markets and carrying on with their daily routines.