Operation Sindoor Sparks Panic Buying in Amritsar Amid Border Tensions and Fake Advisory
Amritsar – A wave of panic buying gripped Amritsar on Wednesday following India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The air of uncertainty over a possible retaliatory move by Pakistan has led to anxious residents rushing to stock up on essentials.
Since early morning, grocery stores, supermarkets, medical shops, and petrol stations in the city witnessed large crowds. Residents, fearing an escalation in border tensions, began buying food, fuel, medicines, and other necessities in bulk. Vehicles queued at fuel stations from as early as 8 a.m., shortly after the Deputy Commissioner ordered the closure of all schools and colleges as a precaution.
Ashu, a manager at a kiryana store on Lawrence Road, shared, “We sold out over 250 quintals of flour by noon. One customer alone bought 30 kg. Stocks of lentils, cooking oil, sugar, salt, and soap are nearly gone.” Supermarkets such as DMart and Reliance Fresh reported similar scenes of heavy consumer rush.
Medical stores also reported a surge in customers buying large quantities of common medications, including painkillers and medicines for diabetes and gastrointestinal issues. “People are trying to prepare for the worst,” said a local pharmacist.
Residents like Ritu Sareen of Chheherta described the atmosphere as tense. “Everyone is scared, especially since Amritsar is so close to the border. We’re just trying to be ready,” she said while shopping with her family.
Fueling the panic further was a fake advisory circulating widely on social media since Tuesday night. The bogus message warned of a “tense situation at the border” and urged citizens to stock up on cash and emergency supplies. Authorities have since dismissed the advisory as false and cautioned the public not to fall for misinformation.
Officials are urging calm and advising residents to follow only official sources for updates as the situation continues to evolve.
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