(Image source from: Mangaloretoday.com)
On Thursday night, the Indian Army conducted a retaliation against unprovoked gunfire from Pakistani forces targeting several Indian posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, according to military sources. These sources indicated that the security forces "effectively responded" to the actions of the Pakistan Army while confirming that there were no casualties reported. "Last night, there were instances of small arms fire initiated by Pakistan at various locations along the LoC. Our response was effective," the sources stated. This exchange of fire occurred just days following a terrorist incident that claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including a Nepali national, which heightened tensions between the two countries.
On the same day, India officially communicated to Pakistan regarding the immediate and indefinite suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which was originally signed in 1960. A correspondence from the Union Ministry of Water Resources addressed to Syed Ali Murtuza, the Secretary in Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized the importance of honoring treaties in good faith. However, it noted that India had observed continuous cross-border terrorism directed at Jammu and Kashmir orchestrated by Pakistan. The letter also pointed out that Pakistan had repeatedly overlooked India's proposals to resolve issues arising from significant changes in circumstances since the Treaty was established.
"The evolving situation includes notable shifts in population demographics, the urgent need for clean energy development, and other alterations in the foundational assumptions of water sharing under the Treaty," the communication mentioned, arriving shortly after Pakistan threatened to suspend all bilateral agreements, including the 1972 Simla Agreement, which recognizes the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Additionally, India asserted that ongoing cross-border terrorism had created "uncertainties" that have "directly obstructed India's full utilization of its rights under the Treaty."
"Moreover, in light of the various violations undertaken, Pakistan has declined to engage with India’s invitation for negotiations as stipulated by the Treaty, thereby breaching its terms," the letter stated. The announcement regarding the suspension of the Indus water agreement was made following a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has pledged that India will "identify, track, and punish" those terrorists and their "supporters" responsible for the attack in Pahalgam.
