As border tensions between India and Pakistan rise after Operation Sindoor, panic buying of dry ration has surged across Punjab, particularly in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala and Bathinda. Grocery stores are witnessing overwhelming crowds as customers stock up on supplies for up to three months.
Iqbal Singh, owner of Aao G store in Ludhiana’s Sarabha Nagar, said, “I have personally sent messages to all my customers assuring them there is no shortage of ration and there is no need to panic. Still, people are rushing to the stores to stock up.”
He added that essential items such as pulses, salt, sugar, tea leaves, rice, wheat flour, oil, and ghee are being purchased in bulk. “Most people are stocking up for up to three months,” he said.
Iqbal further mentioned that dry milk has already gone out of stock and orders have been placed for replenishment. “In the meantime, we are supplying liquid milk cartons with a 60-day shelf life. Orders for desi ghee have also been placed as it went out of stock.”
Balwant Rai, owner of Mani Ram Balwant Rai departmental store in Civil Lines, Ludhiana, said the panic buying trend began Monday after the first blackout rehearsal conducted by the Ferozepur administration.
Tensions escalated after the Indian armed forces conducted Operation Sindoor, the strikes on nine terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.
“After Operation Sindoor, the customer rush increased sharply. On May 7, we could barely manage the crowd. Stocks from many shelves were exhausted. However, we still have sufficient stock in store and in the wholesale market, so people should not panic,” he said.
Consumers, however, cited continuous developments, including large-scale blackout rehearsals, as the reason for stockpiling. “From our store, customers typically buy up to two months of supplies. Even otherwise, it is common for households to keep a month’s ration,” Balwant added.
‘Can’t take a chance’
Maninder Kaur, a resident of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar of Ludhiana, said,” We have ordered ration online for two months… We live with old parents, so we can’t take a chance. Dry ration’s shelf life is long, so stocking double is a normal reaction by people.”
Kulwinder Kaur, a domestic help in the Model gram area of Ludhiana, said, “I buy groceries daily only, as and when need arises. But now, I have stocked some basic items as per my budget for one month.”
So was the case with Meenakshi, a homemaker from the same area, who said that she stocked rations for up to two months. “I focused only on essentials and have cut down all other products like frozen snacks.”
In border villages, several families are relocating to safer places, carrying supplies.
In Amritsar, long queues were seen at D-Mart, with customers rushing to purchase groceries. Sources revealed that under the pretext of panic buying, several stores have quietly withdrawn promotional offers that were earlier in place.
A similar situation was observed in Tarn Taran, where nearly every second grocery store saw panic buying. Meanwhile, Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner Rahul, in a public message, assured, “The district administration is fully prepared to handle any emergency. There is no shortage of essential items like fuel, cooking gas, medicines, or ration in Tarn Taran.”
He appealed to residents not to indulge in panic buying or hoarding, warning that such actions could lead to black marketing. “Strict action will be taken against anyone found hoarding essential items for profiteering,” he added.
Scene at one of the stores in Ludhiana on Wednesday.
(Express photo by Gurmeet SIngh) 
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