J&K Launches Safety Training for Students Along LoC After Pahalgam Attack
Emergency initiative includes drills, first aid, and psychological preparedness for schools in vulnerable border areas
In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the education department in Jammu and Kashmir has launched a special initiative to train school students along the Line of Control (LoC) in emergency safety protocols.
The programme, launched this week, aims to sensitise students and teachers on how to respond during terrorist incidents, cross-border firing, or other emergencies. The initiative includes mock drills, evacuation procedures, first aid training, and psychological preparedness sessions. The focus is on border areas of Baramulla, Kupwara, Rajouri, and Poonch, where schools are considered more vulnerable to cross-border hostilities.
An official from the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, said, “We are working with local administration and security forces to equip our students with practical skills. Safety and psychological resilience are now as important as academic learning in these sensitive zones.”
The move follows the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran valley near Pahalgam, where militants opened fire on a tourist convoy, killing mostly non-local visitors and injuring several others. It was the deadliest attack in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing and has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan.
In addition to the training sessions, the government is also planning to strengthen school infrastructure by introducing reinforced shelters and alarm systems in LoC-facing institutions. Counselors and trauma specialists are being deployed to support students coping with anxiety and fear.
Parents in affected regions have welcomed the move but urged authorities to maintain a long-term strategy. “These steps are necessary, but the government must ensure schools remain safe year-round,” said Mushtaq Ahmed, a parent in Uri. The safety initiative is expected to cover over 500 schools within the next two weeks.
