In a continued act of water aggression, India has initiated work on four new dam projects in the Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) with the aim of obstructing the flow of the Indus River. According to Kashmir Media Service, this alarming revelation was made by renowned water expert Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi in a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

The letter states that India is developing a master plan for 10-megawatt hydroelectric power projects in Achinathang, Sanjak, Pharphila, Batalik, and Khaltse in the disputed territory of Ladakh. These projects not only violate the Indus Waters Treaty but also raise serious concerns regarding the reduction and control of water flow into Pakistan.

Abbasi observed that the real objective behind these projects appears to be the provision of heat and energy to Indian troops stationed in the glacial regions of Siachen, while the impoverished and neglected local population of Ladakh continues to suffer in harsh winter conditions. 

The water expert noted that under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is permitted to use up to 0.25 million acre-feet of water in Ladakh for general and power storage purposes. However, India has already violated the agreement by constructing the 45MW Nimoo Bazgo and the 44MW Chutak hydropower plants in the region—both of which are being used for military needs.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)