DE News Desk :
Heightened hostilities between India and Pakistan have triggered widespread panic along both sides of the border, as residents scramble to stockpile essential supplies and seek safety in bunkers or nearby towns.
Violent cross-border exchanges continued for a third consecutive day on Friday, marking the most intense escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in nearly 30 years.
The conflict flared after India claimed to have targeted multiple “terrorist camps” inside Pakistan on Wednesday, in response to a deadly attack on Hindu pilgrims in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.
As artillery fire and drone attacks intensified, border villages in both countries emptied out overnight.
Families fled their homes, while those who remained behind braced for further escalation.
In Punjab, India, Amanpreet Dhillon, a 26-year-old resident of a village just 13 kilometers from the border, said many families had already evacuated.
“I am also considering leaving. We don’t know when we’ll be hit next,” he said.
Further north, in Kashmir’s Uri district, civilians described fleeing under the cover of darkness as shells struck residential areas.
“We’ve never witnessed such heavy shelling,” said Bashir Ahmad, 45, from Baramulla.
“It felt like a nightmare. Most people ran to nearby bunkers or hid behind rocks.”Across the border in Pakistan, similar scenes unfolded.
Lahore, situated near the international boundary, was shaken on Thursday when drones — which Pakistan claims were launched by India — were intercepted over the city.
Air raid sirens blared, prompting the U.S. Consulate to instruct its personnel to shelter in place.
With schools closed and uncertainty gripping the city, Lahore’s markets were inundated with people rushing to buy groceries, cooking gas, and medicine.
“I’ve stocked up on meat, flour, oil, lentils — everything we might need for at least a month,” said Aroosha Rameez, 34.
Pharmacies also reported a surge in customers.
“We’re already seeing shortages of basic medicines like paracetamol, antibiotics, and diabetes treatments,” said pharmacist Muhammad Asif, 35.
Food delivery service FoodPanda reported a spike in grocery orders across Pakistan, highlighting growing concerns among urban residents.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs attempted to allay fears by warning against panic buying.
“There is no shortage of food grains. We have sufficient stocks of rice, wheat, and pulses,” the ministry said in a statement.
Despite assurances, residents in Indian cities like Amritsar continued to queue at markets.
“We don’t know if shops will open tomorrow. I have to think of my children and grandchildren,” said local resident Pankaj Seth.As prices surged in border areas, some turned to relatives for support.
Navneet Kaur, a nurse in Amritsar, said her aunt in Attari had asked her to deliver a sack of flour. “Prices are already climbing,” she said.
Evacuations Underway in KashmirIn Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the threat is even more immediate.
Residents near the Line of Control (LoC) reported spending nights in hand-dug bunkers as shelling echoed through the valleys.
Authorities confirmed the evacuation of more than 400 civilians from high-risk areas.
“Since the attack on Muzaffarabad, we’ve been living in a bunker carved into the mountain,” said Manzoor Ahmed of Jura Bandi village in Neelum Valley.
With tensions showing no signs of easing, both governments remain locked in accusations, while civilians on the frontlines bear the brunt of the conflict.