India opens three gates of Salal Dam in Reasi after Indus Waters Treaty freeze and military strikes on Pakistan

Fresh visuals from Reasi district in Jammu & Kashmir on 8 May showed three gates of the Salal Dam wide open. The dam, located on the Chenab River, was previously under strict control as India regulated water flow to Pakistan.

The opening comes shortly after the Centre suspended its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty—a move signalling both operational necessity and diplomatic shift.

Earlier in the day, two gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project in Ramban district were also opened. Officials stated this was to control the rising water levels caused by heavy rainfall across the region.


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India targets terror camps in Operation Sindoor

The decision to open the floodgates is closely timed with India’s retaliatory military strike across the Line of Control.

At 1.30 am on Wednesday, Indian armed forces carried out a coordinated strike codenamed Operation Sindoor, which dismantled nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

According to officials, “the operation, carried out in a rapid 25-minute window between 1.05 am and 1.30 am, targeted terrorist infrastructure from where attacks against India have been planned and carried out.”

The sites were linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), two Pakistan-based terrorist groups accused of orchestrating multiple attacks in India.

Also Read: Indus Waters Treaty: India opens two gates at Baglihar Dam on Chenab river days after shutting them

Fallout of the Pahalgam attack

The Indian government’s actions follow the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people—mostly tourists. New Delhi has publicly blamed Pakistan-based groups for planning and executing the attack.

The Ministry of External Affairs described Pakistan as “a safe haven for terrorists” and added that “more attacks on India were planned.”

This triggered a swift military and diplomatic response, including targeting infrastructure associated with terror outfits.

Water as a strategic tool: Treaty suspended

In a significant shift, India has put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

Signed in 1960, the treaty governs usage of six rivers—Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—shared between India and Pakistan.

The Chenab, in particular, plays a vital role in Pakistani agriculture. The Salal and Baglihar Dams are both located on this river.

India’s decision to suspend the treaty comes after years of complaints regarding Pakistan’s failure to act against cross-border terrorism.

Also Read: Operation Sindoor carried out with 'unimaginable' precision by Indian armed forces: Defence Min Rajnath Singh

Baglihar Dam’s contested history

The Baglihar Dam, inaugurated in 2008, has been a recurring point of contention between the two neighbours.

Pakistan raised objections to its design, citing violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. However, a World Bank-appointed neutral expert allowed India to proceed with modifications.

Now, with dam gates open and the treaty suspended, this long-standing water dispute appears poised to escalate further.