India shuts schools near Pakistan border amid escalating tensions

NEW DELHI, May 9 (Xinhua) -- All schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Indian-controlled Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Chandigarh were shut for two days till Saturday, following escalating tensions with Pakistan, Indian media reported on Friday.

Tensions between the two nations had escalated after the April 22 killings of 26 tourists by unidentified attackers in the Pahalgam area of the Indian-controlled Kashmir.

India blamed the killings on the alleged role of Pakistan, which was denied by Islamabad.

Security measures at all airports had been tightened, and passengers were advised to reach their respective airports at least three hours prior to their scheduled departure. ■