Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 9: Amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have assured citizens that there is no shortage of fuel and have urged the public to refrain from panic buying.

The assurance comes after social media was flooded with images and videos of people rushing to petrol pumps, particularly in border states like Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, following reports of cross-border drone and missile attacks by Pakistan on the night of May 8 - 9. Several towns in these regions enforced blackouts after the strikes, although the Indian Army confirmed the attacks were ‘effectively repulsed.’

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), IOC said, “Indian Oil has ample fuel stocks across the country and our supply lines are operating smoothly. There is no need for panic buying; fuel and LPG are readily available at all our outlets.” The company appealed to the public to “stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush,” assuring that this would help maintain seamless supply and uninterrupted fuel access for all.

BPCL also echoed the sentiment, stating that its entire nationwide network of petrol pumps and LPG distributorships is functioning normally. “There is no cause for concern or panic buying. Our supply chain operations remain robust and efficient. We urge all customers to remain calm,” the statement read.

The reassurance from both oil majors follows India’s retaliatory strikes on May 7 – 8 targeting nine locations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deeper inside Pakistan in response to a deadly terror attack two weeks earlier. In response, Pakistan reportedly launched a wave of drone and missile attacks across more than a dozen Indian towns and cities.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as border tensions remain high, but the government and oil firms have reiterated that there is no disruption in fuel or LPG supplies nationwide.