Amid heightened tensions following India's missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), some residents of border villages in Punjab’s Ferozepur district have begun relocating to safer areas, even as officials maintain there is no need for panic.
The Indian armed forces launched targeted strikes early Wednesday under "Operation Sindoor," hitting nine terror locations, including Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Bahawalpur base and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s facility in Muridke. The action was in response to the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead.
In the aftermath, anxiety gripped several villages near the International Border (IB) in Ferozepur, with residents of Tendi Wala, Kalu Wala, Gatti Rajo Ke, and nearby areas seen moving out voluntarily, even though no official evacuation directive has been sent from the Army or the district administration.
Kakku Singh, a 63-year-old from Babmha Haji village, said he rushed to Kalu Wala to ensure the safety of his daughters and their families. “The village is surrounded by the Sutlej on three sides and Pakistan on the fourth. I’ve asked them to come stay in my village until things settle,” he said.
Similarly, Pachho Bai, 58, from Tendi Wala, said her family is preparing to move. “Our house is just 2 km from the border. My husband and son are at work, but we’ll be leaving soon,” she said while packing belongings.
Some villagers could be seen taking their belongings like beds, coolers, washing machines, fridge, food grain containers on tractor trolleys to their relatives. However, not all residents are fleeing. “We are proud of the Indian Army. We trust them,” said Surjeet Singh of Tendi Wala, expressing resilience despite the uncertainty.
Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma reassured residents that the situation is under control. “There is no evacuation order. The administration is alert and fully prepared,” she said.
Meanwhile, in the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran, people remained largely calm.
Gurmeet Singh from Chinna Bidhi Chand in Tarn Taran said there was no panic, though schools were closed as a precaution. Sucha Singh from Naushera Dhalla added that farmers continued their daily routines in the fields. “No official has asked us to leave. It’s peaceful here,” he said.
Villages such as Attari, Mahawa, Pul Mohra, and Bikhwind in Amritsar also remained calm. However, security protocols were evident—farmers were not permitted to cross the border fencing to reach their fields, as all gates at Indo-Pak borders in Amritsar and Tarn Taran were shut.
Additionally, Amritsar's international airport has been temporarily closed, with all domestic and international flight operations suspended until 5:30 am on May 10, according to an official notification. Educational institutions in the district also remained shut on orders from the Deputy Commissioner, and fuel stations saw increased activity as residents queued to refuel their vehicles.
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