Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged following India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, prompted by a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025 which killed 26 people including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepalese citizen.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned Saturday that any attempt to block or divert water from the Indus, Jhelum,. And Chenab rivers—allocated to Pakistan under the treaty—would be met with “full force,” labeling such actions an “act of war.”

Speaking at a military parade near Abbottabad, Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s desire for peace but vowed to defend “every inch” of its territory.

India’s decision, announced Wednesday, stems from allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack with Indian officials citing “technical intelligence.” Linking two of the three militants to Pakistan.

India has ceased sharing hydrological data, flood warnings, and halted annual Indus Commission meetings, escalating the crisis. Pakistan denies involvement and offered a “neutral, transparent” investigation into the attack, a proposal yet to be addressed by India.

On Saturday, Pakistan-administered Kashmir reported “moderate flooding” in Muzaffarabad. After India allegedly released excess water into the Jhelum River without prior notice. Local authorities issued emergency alerts, with mosques broadcasting warnings, sparking panic among residents.

Pakistan claims this violates the treaty, further fueling accusations of “water terrorism.” India has not confirmed the release, and experts note India’s limited infrastructure makes large-scale water diversion unlikely in the short term.

In Jammu and Kashmir Indian authorities demolished the homes of two suspects linked to the Pahalgam attack. And launched extensive search operations in the region’s forests. India’s military chief inspected the area to assess security.

Protests erupted globally, with demonstrations in Nepal outside Pakistan’s High Commission demanding justice for the Nepalese victim. And in Australia’s Melbourne and India’s West Bengal, where BJP supporters rallied outside Pakistan’s diplomatic missions.

India’s Union Jal Shakti Minister, CR Patil, declared intentions to ensure “not even a drop” of Indus water reaches Pakistan. Outlining plans to desilt dams and expand reservoirs on the western rivers. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supported the treaty’s suspension, calling it “unjust” to the region’s people.

Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned that blocking Indus waters would lead to “blood flowing in rivers,” underscoring the stakes for Pakistan, where 80% of agriculture depends on these waters.

In a separate development, Gujarat authorities claimed to have detained over 1,000 Bangladeshi immigrants in Ahmedabad and Surat. Alleging they used fake documents and involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling.

State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said some detainees linked to al-Qaeda sleeper cells with investigations ongoing to uncover networks behind forged documents. Deportation processes have begun.

Read more: India-Pakistan Border Tensions Escalate After Kashmir Ceasefire Violation

Indus Waters Treaty mediated by the World Bank, has survived decades of conflict, but its suspension marks a dangerous turning point. Regional powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia have offered mediation while U.S. appears less involved compared to past crises.

As both nations exchange heated rhetoric the risk of further escalation looms, with water emerging as a critical geopolitical weapon.