E commerce deliveries disrupted amid India-Pakistan tensions

E-commerce deliveries in Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Gujarat and nearby regions have been disrupted as escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have restricted mobility in certain regions, industry stakeholders said. Recent developments near the international border have resulted in movement restrictions affecting several districts Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and the Chandigarh Tri-City.

After Pakistan made fresh attempts to strike Indian military sites with drones and missiles in Jammu and Pathankot on the night of May 8 a new advisory has been issued. After this many states announced the closure of schools, blackouts in border districts, and cancellation of leave of police personnel and administration officials.

The stringent measures were taken in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal and Bihar in wake of Pakistan’s failed attempts to attack cities in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan. The Indian air defence system intercepted and blocked at least eight missiles and several drones launched by Islamabad. An executive at a large e-commerce company said that their company is reassessing deliveries to certain pin codes, especially in the states of Punjab and Gujarat.

Several of our delivery staffers didn’t come in today because they’re either scared to be stepping out or have gone back to their hometowns to stay with their families. Fewer delivery personnel means that e-commerce companies will now categorise couriers and only deliver in pin codes that are fully safe to service.

All other parcels will be prioritised and kept back in the warehouses which will result in a delay in shipments, as per the executive. To be sure, not all regions in the aforementioned states are affected. Only certain areas that are vulnerable have seen some impact. Furthermore, these delays are largely because e-commerce companies are exercising caution and stakeholders expect a return to normalcy within the next few hours. While some e-commerce firms and logistics companies saw some disruption, there are a few which are working business as usual.

None of the companies wished to be named because the matter is sensitive and the situation is still evolving.