Pakistani Kashmir urges food stockpiling amid tensions

Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have urged residents living near the Line of Control (LoC) to stockpile food for two months, as tensions with India escalate following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the 22 April gun attack at a tourist site in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Pakistan has firmly denied the allegation.

The two sides have reportedly exchanged fire along the LoC for eight consecutive nights, while both countries have taken reciprocal diplomatic actions, heightening fears of further escalation.

On Friday, the Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, told the regional assembly that 13 constituencies near the LoC had been instructed to prepare emergency food supplies. He also announced the creation of a one billion-rupee emergency fund to ensure the availability of food, medicines, and other essential items in the affected areas.

Authorities are also deploying government and private machinery to maintain road access in those regions.

Amid concerns of military confrontation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the military "complete operational freedom" to respond. Pakistan, meanwhile, has warned of a possible Indian strike and vowed to respond to any aggression, citing "credible evidence" of planned military action.

As a precaution, over 1,000 religious schools in Pakistani Kashmir were ordered shut for ten days on Thursday.

India and Pakistan have long been at odds over Kashmir, a disputed region both countries claim in full but control in part. The rivals have fought several wars and numerous skirmishes over the territory since their independence in 1947.