Border Areas in Punjab Witness Return to Normalcy After Ceasefire
A semblance of normal life returned to the border areas of Punjab on Monday, following the suspension of hostilities between India and Pakistan. Markets were bustling with activity, though schools in several districts remained closed as a precaution.
The decision to halt military operations came after New Delhi and Islamabad reached an agreement on Saturday afternoon, ending four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. District officials confirmed that the situation was now under control. While no blackouts were enforced in the border regions, residents were urged to remain calm and avoid spreading or believing in rumors.
Educational institutions remained shut in the border districts of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. In addition, colleges and universities in Pathankot and Gurdaspur also remained closed, although authorities in Gurdaspur permitted online classes to continue.
Punjab shares a 553-kilometer border with Pakistan, and routine activities resumed in many areas on Monday. Markets saw usual footfall, with many residents expressing support for the Indian security forces’ recent actions in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
"India has taught Pakistan a lesson," said a grocery store owner in Pathankot, which had recently faced multiple drone attacks from across the border. "The message is clear, and now Pakistan won’t dare to provoke us again."
In Ferozepur, displaced villagers began returning to their homes. Daler Singh, a resident of Jallo Ke village near the border, said most residents had temporarily relocated but were now cautiously returning to daily life. "Things feel normal again, and people are heading back to their fields," he said.
Another resident echoed the sentiment, expressing hope that the ceasefire would hold and peace would be sustained. Train services, which had been disrupted during the escalation, were also restored. According to officials, 23 trains had been cancelled, four short-originated, four short-terminated, and three rescheduled during the tension.
Authorities in Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Moga had earlier advised residents to switch off lights voluntarily in the evenings and avoid going out unless necessary. By Monday, however, signs of normalcy had largely returned.
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