Jammu- A large number of educational institutions including Army’s Public and Goodwill Schools besides Kendriya Vidyalayas operating from the military cantonments in Jammu province and on Jammu-Pathankot Highway have been shut as a precautionary measure in view of a high alert and ahead of Independence Day.
Sources said that the decision was taken after intelligence agencies issued specific alerts regarding possible terror attacks on schools, reported news agency KNO.
The development came after security forces arrested two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) for supporting terror related activities.
Police said that in our ongoing efforts to counter terrorist activities, Kathua Police at PS Malhar nabbed tow OGW’s who were also found to have purposefully withheld crucial information by not disclosing it to police in time.
Defence officials said that following the terror threats, the security forces have advised school authorities of these schools to keep the institutions shut for the safety of children.
The decision came at the time when Jammu saw several encounters between terrorists and security personnel which raised security concerns in the region, while security forces beefed up its apparatus to ensure ‘incident free’ celebrations of Independence Day.
As per official sources, “Due to increasing terrorist activities in Jammu region, the local administration and security agencies have jointly decided that all Army and Kendriya Vidyalaya and other contentment schools till further order,” said an official adding “The decision aimed to keep children, teachers and school staff safe from potential threats”.
Officials said that the decision to close Army and Kendriya Vidyalaya schools is temporary and the schools will be reopened as soon as the situation becomes normal.
At present, the administration and security agencies are taking every possible step giving priority to the safety of children.
At least a dozen army schools, including in Sunjuwan and Domana besides those on the highway, were shut for the day as a precautionary measure,” said defence officials privy to the development.
Moreover, following intelligence inputs of a terror strike, a high alert has been sounded in all defence installations along the Jammu-Pathankot national highway.
Some parents confirmed that school authorities send messages informing about holidays till further order, administrative reasons.
“We have received a message in the school’s whatsapp group regarding holidays, due to some administrative reasons,” a parent, whose ward is studying in an army school, confirmed. He further added that authorities have said that during these days classes would be conducted in online mode.
Moreover, school authorities of KV from a military containment in Jammu city also confirmed that school has been shut and now classes would be held online for students.
“Dear Parents and Students, We are writing to inform you that due to Administrative Reasons, The School will shift to online classes starting tomorrow until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” a message flashed in official groups from the Principal reads.
Last year, authorities shut all schools of the Jammu region, which was operating from inside the cantonment areas a week ahead of the G20 summit in Srinagar.
On July 23, a soldier lost his life in a gunfight with terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. Lance Naik Subhash Chander sacrificed his life during a gunfight in the Battal area of Krishna Ghati sector as the Army scuttled an infiltration attempt by a group of terrorists from across the border.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on July 24 Pakistan is trying to disturb peace in Jammu to hinder its progress but every drop of people’s blood shed by terrorists will be avenged.
Kathua Attack Breakthrough
Two alleged overground workers (OGWs) were arrested for their involvement in a terror attack on an army patrol party in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, police said.
In a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to counter terrorist activities, two OGWs were apprehended for their involvement in supporting terror-related actions, a police spokesperson said.
On July 8, five army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed and five others injured in the attack by heavily armed terrorists in the remote Machedi area of the district.
“These individuals were found to have deliberately withheld crucial information from the police,” the spokesperson said, adding that those arrested have been identified as Layaqat Ali, alias Pawu of Kalna Dhanu Parole (Billawar) and Mool Raj alias Jenju from Bowli Mohalla (Malhar).
According to the spokesperson, the duo refused to disclose vital information to the police, thereby obstructing efforts to prevent terrorist actions.
Ali and Raj have been booked under 61(1) (Criminal conspiracy), 113 (Terrorist act) , 147 (Waging, or attempting to wage war against Government of India), 150 (Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the EIMCO (Egress and Internal Movement Control) Act at Malhar Police Station, he said.
Over 100 individuals have been interrogated and preventive measures have been taken against over 40 others in connection with the case to mitigate risks and disrupt potential support systems for terrorist activities, the spokesperson said.
“The arrest of these OGWs underscores our commitment,” the spokesperson added.
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