Fear and Frustration as Students Take Shelter in Delhi After Escalation
New Delhi, May 11 – Scores of students from southern India, who were studying at universities in Jammu and Kashmir, now find themselves in a state of limbo after being evacuated amid heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan. Many have taken shelter at various state bhawans in Delhi, uncertain about when, or if, they will return to complete their education.The evacuation followed India's Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. In response, Pakistani troops initiated heavy shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), intensifying the already volatile situation in the region.
Students Recall Terrifying Ordeal
Students shared harrowing accounts of their experience during the conflict. A student from Andhra Pradesh studying at NIT Srinagar described recurring blackouts and emergency drills that required them to rush to lower floors without clear instructions. “During the blackout, we didn't know what to do,” the student said, alleging a lack of support from university authorities. “We arranged our travel on our own and are now being looked after at our state bhawan in Delhi.”Anandi, an MSc student from Sher-e-Kashmir Agriculture University, echoed similar sentiments. “We had to pressure the university through the Tamil Nadu government,” she said, recalling the anxiety brought on by sirens, missile and drone sounds. “We were asked to stay on campus after the Pahalgam attack, and the fear slowly crept in.”
Parental Concerns and Academic Uncertainty
Anandi added that many students had initially struggled to convince their families to allow them to study in Kashmir. “Now, we have to convince them again to return,” she said. Her concerns were shared by Maheshwari, another student from Tamil Nadu, who noted that even though their campus remained physically safe, the psychological toll was immense due to constant drone and missile overflights.Ganesh from Bengaluru recounted how he and others only felt safe after crossing Jammu. “Our parents told us to leave even if there was a one percent risk,” he said. With air and road routes blocked during the escalation, students were determined to leave at the first opportunity.
Some students acknowledged that while universities managed to arrange transport up to Jammu, the government facilitated the remainder of their journey to safety.
Ceasefire Brings Temporary Relief, But Tensions Persist
On Saturday, India and Pakistan announced a mutual understanding to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea following four days of intense exchanges. However, the fragile truce appeared short-lived, with New Delhi accusing Islamabad of violating the agreement within hours.Amid these developments, security forces remain on high alert, and thousands of civilians have been moved out of sensitive zones. While the ceasefire has brought some temporary relief, students and their families remain wary about what lies ahead.
The future remains uncertain for these students, as they wait for the situation in the valley to stabilize enough to safely return and resume their academic pursuits.