Punjab on High Alert: Exams Postponed, Schools Closed

In light of heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the Punjab government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions and cancelled examinations across the state. Punjab shares a 532-kilometre-long international border with Pakistan, making it a critical region during any military escalation.

I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University in Jalandhar announced on Friday that all ongoing end-semester examinations have been postponed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. The university confirmed that a revised examination schedule will be released at least five days prior to resumption.

The state has established a control room for public assistance, which can be contacted via landline at 0172-2741803 and 0172-2749901.

State Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains declared that all government, private, and aided schools, colleges, and universities in Punjab will remain completely closed for the next three days. The decision comes after reports of Pakistani drone infiltration attempts led to blackouts in six border districts — Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran — on Thursday night.

In Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, all schools have also been ordered to remain shut until Saturday.

Security tensions escalated further when the Border Security Force (BSF) neutralised a Pakistani intruder in the Ferozepur sector early Friday morning. The intruder was spotted near a gate adjacent to the Lakha Singh Wala BSF post while attempting to cross the border.

Amid growing concerns, residents in several border villages — particularly in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran — have begun moving to safer locations, even though no official evacuation orders have been issued by the BSF, Indian Army, or local authorities.

All leave for Punjab Police personnel has been cancelled. Punjab Aam Aadmi Party Chief Aman Arora expressed solidarity with the Indian Army, stating that the entire state stands united in support. He also affirmed that the Punjab Police, as the “second line of defence,” is fully prepared to assist in any required action.

The state government has urged the public to strictly follow all official guidelines and orders to ensure their safety and security during this period of heightened alert.