In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, India’s response was swift and decisive-but also measured. Instead of weaponizing the Indus Waters Treaty, a move some had previously debated, India launched Operation Sindoor: a series of precision air and missile strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This choice of “air strike over water strike” has drawn widespread praise from Indian citizens, military experts, and global observers for its restraint, legality, and effectiveness.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, governs the sharing of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. While India has the technical right to review or limit water flows in extreme circumstances, successive governments have avoided using water as a weapon, citing humanitarian concerns and the risk of triggering a major regional crisis.
Instead, India’s leadership opted for a calibrated military response:
Precision air and missile strikes targeted only known terror infrastructure, not civilian or military assets.
The operation was monitored in real time by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized “measured and non-escalatory” action.
Indian forces used Rafale jets with Scalp and Hammer missiles, as well as kamikaze drones, to hit high-value targets like Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Bahawalpur HQ and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke base.
Across India, social media and public forums erupted with support for the government’s approach:
Many lauded the decision to avoid disrupting water supplies, which could harm millions of civilians and violate international norms under the Indus Waters Treaty. The Indian Army’s statement-“Justice is served”-captured the national mood, with citizens praising the focus on terror camps and the avoidance of broader escalation. Analysts noted that the strikes demonstrated India’s ability to act decisively while remaining within the bounds of international law, sending a clear message to both Pakistan and the world.
Officials condemned the strikes as a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter” and accused India of targeting civilians-a claim India firmly denies, stating only terror camps were hit.Pakistan’s military vowed retaliation “at a time and place of its choosing,” and accused India of bringing the nuclear neighbors closer to major conflict. The Pakistan Army’s spokesperson called the operation “cowardly and unjustified,” while the Foreign Ministry claimed the strikes threatened regional peace and security.
Despite calls from some quarters to “turn off the taps” to Pakistan, India’s restraint under the Indus Waters Treaty has been widely noted. Experts argue that keeping the water treaty intact preserves India’s moral high ground and avoids humanitarian fallout, while still allowing for calibrated, targeted military responses when provoked.
