After the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 25 tourists and one local resident were killed, India has taken a strong step against Pakistan. The Indian government has temporarily stopped the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River.

This decision comes shortly after India announced the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. Officials have said this action is a response to the terror attack, which is believed to have links to Pakistan-based groups. The government has described the move as a part of its retaliation strategy following the brutal killing of civilians.

Reports suggest that the Indian government may also take a similar step at the Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Kashmir. Though the water stoppage is temporary, it is seen as a warning message to Pakistan. India’s move shows increasing pressure on Pakistan, which has been blamed for sponsoring terrorism on Indian soil.

The Baglihar Dam is located in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir and is built on the Chenab River, which is one of the “western rivers” covered under the Indus Waters Treaty. According to this treaty, Pakistan is allowed to use the waters of the western rivers freely. India is only allowed to use the water for agriculture, non-consumptive use, or hydropower generation.

Baglihar is a run-of-the-river project. This means the dam does not have a large water storage capacity and must release water after reaching a certain limit. That is why this current stoppage of water will only last for a short period.

Baglihar and Kishanganga projects faced objections from Pakistan

The Baglihar project generates 900 MW of electricity and was built in two phases—one completed in 2008 and the other in 2015. The Kishanganga project, also a run-of-the-river dam, is located in Bandipore and has a 330 MW capacity. Pakistan had earlier objected to both these projects. It claimed that India was getting an unfair advantage through these dams, especially in the event of a conflict.

Due to disagreement between the two nations, Pakistan went to the World Bank, which is a signatory to the Indus Waters Treaty. The World Bank appointed a neutral expert who agreed with some of Pakistan’s concerns but rejected its objections about the height of the dam and India’s control over the spillway gates.

Pakistan also opposed the Kishanganga project, saying that India diverted water from one tributary to another, which it believed violated the treaty. Again, Pakistan approached the Court of Arbitration under the World Bank, but the court ruled in favour of India.

India cannot stop the flow of water for too long unless it increases the height of the dam, which cannot be done quickly. So the current move is seen as symbolic but significant in terms of political messaging.

Pakistan warns of consequences

After India temporarily held back the water, Pakistan warned that any such action would be treated as an “act of war”. Islamabad also said that it would suspend all bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement, which defines the Line of Control between the two nations.

The terror attack in Pahalgam has deeply affected the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is “grief and rage” from “Kargil to Kanyakumari”. He added, “This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country's enemies have shown the audacity to attack India's soul.” He promised that those responsible will “get a punishment they cannot imagine”.

 

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