18 girls’ schools in Upper Dir border areas recommended for week-long closure over security concerns

Authorities have recommended the temporary closure of 18 girls' schools in the border areas of Upper Dir for one week, citing prevailing security concerns along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The recommendation, issued by the district education officer for female schools, highlights serious concerns for the safety of students and teaching staff amidst regional uncertainty.

An official letter to the deputy commissioner indicated that schools in the affected areas face potential risks due to the ongoing situation. The education department requested approval to keep girls' high, middle, and primary schools closed from August 15 to August 22 as a precautionary measure. The schools are located in several villages, including Panakot, Qalandai, and Dobando.

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serious concerns have been raised about the safety of students and teaching staff amid the prevailing uncertainty in the district’s border areas.

However, the Upper Dir deputy commissioner stated that no final decision has been made regarding the proposed closures. This recommendation arrives during a security operation in the mountainous Dobando area, where a gun battle between police and suspected terrorists has been ongoing since Wednesday night. The conflict involves heavy weaponry, though no casualties have been confirmed.

This situation follows a recent incident last month where two policemen were killed and 16 others injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Lower Dir. Law enforcement was conducting a search-and-strike operation when they encountered armed insurgents, leading to a prolonged gun battle.

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no decision had yet been made on the closure of the 18 girls’ schools.