PESHAWAR: Amid rising tensions in the region following recent aggressive Indian military’ attack, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has directed all public and private schools across the province to halt extracurricular activities and begin civil defence training for students.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Education issued a formal notification instructing schools to suspend all non-academic programmes, including sports and cultural events, due to the increasing risk of conflict.
“In light of the current war-like situation, no sports events or other functions will be permitted in any school,” the circular stated.
In addition, school administrations have been ordered to immediately implement civil defence training.
Heads of all educational institutions and boards—both public and private—have been instructed to make the necessary arrangements without delay and ensure full compliance with the directive.
These measures come in the wake of a sharp escalation in hostilities between Pakistan and India.
Overnight on May 6–7, Indian armed forces launched coordinated missile, air, and drone strikes, targeting several areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The attacks caused civilian casualties, including women and children, and damaged non-military sites such as mosques and a hydropower installation.
In response, the Pakistan Army carried out a forceful counterattack, downing five Indian fighter jets and a combat drone.
The Pakistani military condemned the Indian strikes as unprovoked acts of aggression and violations of national airspace.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that the downed aircraft included three Rafale jets, a MiG-29, an SU-series jet, and an Israeli-manufactured Heron combat drone.
