Operation Sindoor was conducted in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The strikes, aimed at destroying infrastructure belonging to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, have significantly heightened tensions along the Indo-Pak border.
While some areas along the border remain calm, Ferozepur’s villages including Tendi Wala, Kalu Wala, Gatti Rajo Ke, Jhugge Hazara, Navi Gatti Rajo Ke, Gatti Rahime Ke, Chandiwala, Basti Bhanewali, and Jallo Ke have witnessed families packing up and relocating to their relatives' homes further inland. Many villagers have taken this step voluntarily, particularly moving women and children, citing proximity to the International Border and fear of possible retaliation.
Kakku Singh, a 63-year-old resident of Babmha Haji village in Mamdot, expressed concern for his daughters who live in Kalu Wala a village surrounded on three sides by the Sutlej River and on the fourth by Pakistan. “I came here not only to visit them but also to make sure they move to my village until the situation becomes stable,” he said.
In Tendi Wala, 58-year-old Pachho Bai was seen packing with her daughter-in-law. “Our house is just 2 km from the border. With my husband and son away for work, we plan to shift soon to a relative’s house,” she said.
Tractor trolleys loaded with beds, coolers, washing machines, grain containers, and other essentials could be seen leaving villages as precautionary measures kicked in. Yet, while Ferozepur shows signs of alarm, many areas in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts continue to function without panic. Villagers in Chinna Bidhi Chand and Naushera Dhalla reported normal routines, though educational institutions remain closed by official order.
Panic buying erupted in Amritsar and Batala as residents crowded grocery stores and fuel pumps to stock up on essentials like pulses, oil, sugar, and wheat flour. However, officials have reassured that there is no immediate threat necessitating mass evacuation. Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma addressed public concerns, stating, “There is no reason for panic in the district. No directive has been issued by the army or administration for evacuation. We are alert and prepared.”
Despite calm in many villages, certain preventive measures have been enforced. Farmers in Amritsar and Tarn Taran who own agricultural land beyond the barbed wire fencing were barred from accessing their fields as gates along the border remained locked. The Amritsar International Airport has suspended all domestic and international flights until 5:30 AM on May 10. Schools and colleges also remain closed across the district.
Punjab Chief Minister and BJP leader Amarinder Singh welcomed India’s military response. “Our targets were terror training camps, and they have been hit hard. This is justice for the victims of Pahalgam,” he stated. He further referenced reports that a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative, whose family members were killed in the strikes, acknowledged the damage.
Meanwhile, villagers like Surjeet Singh from Tendi Wala expressed pride in the Indian Army, saying the operation demonstrated strength and resolve. In villages like Attari, Mahawa, and Bikhwind, residents reported receiving calls from concerned relatives but assured that the situation remained peaceful. As India continues to defend its security interests post-Operation Sindoor, local authorities are monitoring developments closely. Though full-scale evacuations have not been ordered, the voluntary departure of some border residents underlines the lingering anxiety in communities closest to the line of potential conflict.
