India Cuts Water Flow to Pakistan, Shuts Baglihar Dam After Indus Treaty Suspension

New Delhi: India has reportedly blocked the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River and is planning similar actions at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River, according to a source.

These two hydroelectric projects Baglihar in Ramban, Jammu, and Kishanganga in north Kashmir allow India to control the timing and volume of water release, giving it a strategic edge.

This development comes in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, most of them tourists, were killed. The attack has triggered a series of tough measures by India against Pakistan .

India Tightens Control Over Indus Waters After Pahalgam Attack

India has taken a bold step by restricting water flow to Pakistan through the Baglihar Dam, following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This development comes in direct response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. 

In addition to cutting off trade and diplomatic ties, India is now tightening its control over critical water resources shared with Pakistan. The Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River has already seen reduced water outflow, and similar restrictions are being considered for the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River.

What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs the water-sharing arrangement between the two countries. Under the agreement, India was allotted control over the eastern rivers Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej while Pakistan was given rights over the western rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Despite enduring multiple wars and hostilities, the treaty had remained largely intact until now. 

However, with national security at the forefront after the Pahalgam terror attack, India has invoked public policy and security interests to justify suspending the treaty. Both the Baglihar and Kishanganga projects have long been sources of friction, with Pakistan objecting to their construction and seeking international arbitration in the past. India’s latest move marks a significant shift in its water diplomacy and a clear message that cross-border terrorism will come at a cost.