Jammu: Schools located in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir which were ordered to shut after Pakistani shelling reopened on Tuesday, officials said.

Authorities shut down 174 schools in villages close to the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts a fortnight back for the safety of children.

Pakistani forces have been shelling and firing at defence and civilian areas on the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) since the Indian Army launched a surgical strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in September.

The border skirmishes have affected the normal functioning of nearly 420 schools in the border areas.

After gradual reduction in firing, authorities have started efforts to resume normal functioning of the schools.