Punjab closes schools for two days amid as Pakistan faces off with India

The Punjab government has decided to close all schools, colleges, and universities in the province for the next two days, Friday and Saturday, as a safety measure due as the country faces off with India. 

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed that both public and private educational institutions will be closed during this time. He clarified that this is a temporary closure and that regular academic activities will resume on Monday, May 12.

The closure is being implemented to protect students, teachers, and school staff from any potential harm due to ongoing security concerns.

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) had already postponed intermediate and matriculation exams scheduled for Wednesday. 

Earlier in the day, Pakistan's armed forces took down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones that India sent. These drones entered Pakistan last night, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The situation escalated early Wednesday morning when India launched strikes on Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Islamabad called this an "act of war" following the deadly attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last month.

Pakistan claimed that six locations, including mosques and hydropower plants, were targeted. The attack left at least 31 civilians dead, including children, and 57 others injured. In response, Pakistan's military shot down five Indian Air Force jets, destroyed seven drones and targeted several Indian military positions along the Line of Control (LoC).