Schools shut in Jammu and Kashmir following surgical strikes by India in Pakistan's territory

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In the wake of the surgical strikes carried out by India, schools and other institutions along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir have been ordered a complete closure.

This move has been taken by the union home ministry suspecting the escalation of tension along the LoC.

Areas around the border line have been put on high alert and the villages around have also been evacuated.

Sources said that the operation was a combination of heliborne and ground forces, and seven terror launch pads were destroyed in the strike across LoC.

The operation, which lasted from 12:30 am-4:30 am, took place 2 km-3 km across LoC.

The operation by the Indian Army has left Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rattled. Pakistan has dismissed as "fabrication of truth" India's claim that it has conducted a military operation across the LoC, terming it as a "quest" by India to create media hype by rebranding cross-border fire as a surgical strike.

Eleven days after terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Special Forces targeted "some terrorist teams" positioned at launch pads on the LoC, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, the Director General Military Operations (DGMO), told the media here. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup was also present at the press conference.

"During this counter-terrorist operation, significant casualties have been caused to the terrorists and those who support them."

"We can't allow terrorists to operate across the LoC. There has been a surge in infiltration," Gen Singh said.