India closed all gates of the Salal Dam on the Chenab River, resulting in a significant drop in water levels in the Reasi district. This action followed a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this decision, describing it as a strong response to terrorism. Local residents also expressed support for the government's action. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the decision to potentially put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. The treaty allows for certain uses of rivers allocated to the other country. India receives 20% of the water from the Indus River System while Pakistan gets 80%.
The action is framed as a strong measure against Pakistan due to its support for cross-border terrorism, particularly in light of the deadly attack in Pahalgam.