Srinagar, May 8 (UNI) Amid the escalating tensions, Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday shut schools in several districts till Saturday.



According to Director Schools Education Kashmir, all government and private schools of Baramulla, Kupwara, Gurez valley in Bandipora, schools falling in the proximity of Srinagar and Awantipora Airport shall remain closed on May 9 and 10 as precautionary measures.



In Jammu, the schools, colleges and educational institutions private as well as government in the districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch will remain closed on Friday.



According to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, the decision has been taken due to the prevailing situation.



Pakistan has been violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir over the last fortnight. The intense shelling was witnessed moments after India launched strikes on several terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in wake of the Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 tourists.



On Wednesday, the cross-border shelling left 13 civilians dead and 59 civilians injured. UNI MJR ANV