India Cuts Off Water Supply to Pakistan, Dispatches Troops to the Border
Author: Sergey Markov
India has cut off the flow of water to Pakistan by closing the gates of dams, leading to clashes in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is moving troops to the border. It has become clear that water resources may not meet everyone's needs, and the two countries are on the brink of war. Here's what is currently happening between the two nations.
The Indus River, which nourishes millions of people, flows through one of the most unstable regions on Earth. Now, the flow of the Indus River has been interrupted. India closed four sluice gates at the dam, cutting off the water supply to Pakistan. Islamabad called this political action a "declaration of war." Consequently, Pakistan halted all trade with India, closed its airspace, and began moving military equipment to the Line of Control.
Why Terrorist Attacks in India Could Trigger War with Pakistan
The escalation of conflict occurred after the terrorist attack in Kashmir. On April 22, militants from the banned organization "Resist Front" attacked a group of tourists in Pahalgam, killing 26 to 28 people, according to media reports.
The formal reason for implementing the water blockade was the terrorist attacks on Indian territory. New Delhi insists it has evidence showing that the attacks were orchestrated by Pakistan's intelligence agency. Moreover, according to Indian intelligence, new, well-trained sabotage groups are expected to infiltrate the country soon.
In the meantime, Pakistan's defense minister stated that India plans to launch a series of terrorist attacks in Pakistani cities. Both sides claim to have "irrefutable" data, and it seems both are prepared to escalate the conflict.
Does Pakistan Have Nuclear Weapons?
India also belongs to the nuclear club. Both India and Pakistan possess dozens of nuclear warheads, which could bring disaster not only to each other but also to all of South Asia. Any mistake could push the world into a new nuclear reality. The question is no longer whether Pakistan has nuclear weapons. It does. So does India. The question is: do the two countries have the political will not to press the button?
India Cuts Off Water Supply to Pakistan: Where Are the Dams Located
Indian authorities immediately accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack and, as a response, canceled visas for Pakistanis and suspended the effectiveness of the key agreement on the distribution of Indus waters. This is an unprecedented move, even during open military conflicts, New Delhi has never taken such actions before.
This refers to the dam and canal systems controlled by India in Jammu and Kashmir. It is here that there exists a disputed, conflict-ridden, and militarized border. Indian engineers had modernized the dam long ago, gaining technical capabilities to regulate or even completely cut off the water flow, and they are now using this method more forcefully than ever before.
Pakistan previously stated that blocking the Indus water flow would be considered an act of war. The Indus River is Pakistan's main source of fresh water.
The situation could spiral out of control in the next few hours.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497156873141994038/
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