Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared up once again following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and the government of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is bracing for the fallout. According to reports in various regional media outlets, PoK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has urged citizens in the region, especially those living in constituencies along the Line of Control (LoC), to stockpile food supplies and essentials for at least two months.

The instructions were reportedly issued during a special address delivered by PM Haq in the PoK Assembly on Friday. Thirteen constituencies located close to the volatile LoC are believed to be most at risk in case of a possible escalation in cross-border hostilities. PM Haq did not explicitly mention the Pahalgam attack, but the timing and nature of his address leave little doubt about the cause for concern.

As a part of emergency measures, the PoK government has created an emergency relief fund of one billion Pakistani Rupees, which translates to around USD 3.5 million, aimed at maintaining a supply of basic necessities like food, medicines, and essential utilities. Haq emphasised that the move is precautionary and meant to ensure citizen safety and uninterrupted supply chains amid rising instability.

These developments come just days after the terror attack in Pahalgam, which left several Indian security personnel injured and has since heightened military and political tension across the region. The Indian Army has reportedly increased vigilance along the LoC, and multiple reports suggest that cross-border movement is being monitored with heightened scrutiny.

In a separate yet related development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier of Pakistan, cancelled all flights scheduled for Gilgit, Skardu, and other northern destinations in PoK. This includes two flights each from Karachi and Lahore to Skardu, along with two from Islamabad to Skardu and four to Gilgit. Local Urdu media, specifically Jang, quoted aviation sources saying these flights were cancelled due to security reasons, further solidifying the region's alarm over potential conflict escalation.

The airspace activity and logistics disruption, coupled with the directive for food stockpiling, clearly suggest that authorities in PoK are anticipating a possible intensification of tensions with India. This is especially significant in the context of Haji Pir Pass's strategic vulnerability, which has recently come under public discourse once again, reminding both nations of the volatile geography and history of their long-standing conflict.

The Pahalgam attack, while not officially claimed by any militant organisation yet, has been strongly condemned by the Indian establishment, with speculations pointing towards terror outfits operating from PoK. New Delhi has consistently maintained that Pakistan-backed militants have long used the region as a launching pad for infiltrations into Indian territory, a claim vehemently denied by Islamabad.

Over the years, multiple international observers and think tanks have acknowledged the Haji Pir Pass and adjacent LoC sectors as sensitive infiltration corridors, often exploited during high-stakes confrontations, such as the Kargil conflict of 1999 and Operation Gibraltar in 1965.

Given the strategic implications of control over key terrain like Haji Pir and the historical patterns of escalation following terror incidents in India, PoK’s emergency directives point to an underlying fear of retaliatory action or even a preemptive tactical maneuver from India. Indian defence analysts have frequently argued that gaining control over Haji Pir would significantly hinder Pakistan's ability to support proxy insurgency in the Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, the broader civilian population on both sides of the LoC remains anxious, as food security directives often serve as a precursor to armed engagements or extended stand-offs. In response, there has also been a notable increase in social media activity from both Indian and Pakistani handles, reflecting heightened nationalistic sentiment and concern over future developments.

Diplomatic circles in New Delhi and Islamabad are also watching closely. While no formal statements have yet been issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs or Pakistan's Foreign Office, back-channel diplomacy is expected to intensify if tensions continue to mount.

In summary, the directive from the PoK government to stockpile essentials, the cancellation of flights by PIA, and the setting up of an emergency fund all indicate a preparedness level that goes beyond routine border tension. With both militaries on alert and mutual distrust deepening in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, the situation remains highly volatile.

Unless immediate diplomatic steps are taken or de-escalation mechanisms are activated, the risk of a fresh standoff in Kashmir cannot be ruled out. With summer approaching and terrain becoming more accessible, the months ahead could be critical in determining whether this remains a war of words or escalates into a more severe confrontation.

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