More than 1,000 religious schools closed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir amid fears of Indian attack

Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have shut more than 1,000 religious schools over fears of possible retaliatory military action from India over last week's deadly attack in the disputed region, as tensions soar between the nuclear-armed neighbours, Al Jazeera has reported.

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India blames Pakistan for the gun attack that killed 26 people on April 22 in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi providing his military “complete operational freedom” to deal with it, according to Al Jazeera.

Denying any involvement in the attack, Pakistan has said it has “credible evidence” that India is now planning an imminent military strike, promising that “any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response”.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a televised statement early on Wednesday that the attack could take place in the “next 24 to 36 hours”.

Fearing a military escalation, authorities have shut more than 1,000 religious schools in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

“We have announced a 10-day break for all madrassas in Kashmir,” Hafiz Nazeer Ahmed, head of the local religious affairs department told the media.

A department source said it was “due to tensions at the border and the potential for conflict”.