Tensions Rise: PoK Begins Stockpiling Food and Essentials Amid War Fears
Muzaffarabad, May 3, 2025 — Unusual activity has taken hold across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as local authorities and military units begin rapid stockpiling of essential supplies. Large quantities of food items like rice, flour, lentils, oil, and sugar, along with fuel, medicines, and drinking water, are being transported to various army warehouses and government storage facilities in towns including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Rawalakot, and Bagh. This sudden and organized movement of resources has triggered widespread concern among residents, many of whom fear that a serious conflict may be brewing.
While officials maintain silence or describe the process as part of “annual preparedness routines,” the timing has raised eyebrows. Just days ago, reports surfaced of heightened troop activity and artillery movement near the Line of Control (LoC). With tensions between India and Pakistan already on edge due to recent incidents, this wave of logistical mobilization in PoK is being seen by many as a precautionary wartime measure.
Locals have reported long lines outside ration shops and pharmacies, as people begin to hoard whatever items they can. Some shopkeepers claim they’ve been asked by authorities to limit bulk sales, and prices of basic goods have started rising. The uncertainty is also being felt in schools and offices, where emergency drills and internal notices are quietly being circulated.
Security experts say stockpiling like this typically indicates anticipation of either supply chain disruptions or direct confrontation. “It’s rare to see this level of logistical movement unless there’s a serious expectation of escalation,” said one retired military analyst.
This isn’t the first time such fear has gripped the region. In the aftermath of the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, similar stockpiling and movement restrictions were observed. However, this time, the scale appears larger and more coordinated.
No formal statement has been issued by the Pakistani military or central government. Still, the developments on the ground suggest that both the administration and security forces are preparing for possible disruptions—whether due to war, blockade, or internal unrest.
As uncertainty grows, residents of PoK are caught between silence from authorities and visible signs of preparation on the streets. With no clear answers, fear continues to rise along with food stockpiles, leaving the region bracing for what may come next.
