Pakistan test-fires ballistic missile; India calls it ‘dangerous escalation’

Pakistan on Saturday (May 3) claimed that it had successfully conducted a training launch of its Abdali Weapon System. The test-firing of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of 450 km, comes in the backdrop of soaring tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack which left 26 people dead.

“The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features,” the Pakistani army said in a statement.

It further stated that the test-firing was part of “Exercise INDUS” without giving details about the exercise. The launch was witnessed by the Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officials from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, as well as scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organisations, reported PTI.

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'Full faith in Pakistan’s forces'

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and services chiefs heaped praises on the troops, scientists, and engineers who took part in the exercise.

They said they have full faith in the Pakistan’s Strategic Forces and firmly believe that it has the operational preparedness and technical proficiency to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security against any aggression.

Also Read: India bans direct, indirect imports from Pakistan over Pahalgam attack

India reacts

The move has not gone down well with India, which slammed the test-firing as a "reckless act of provocation" and a "dangerous escalation" of the situation.

The planned missile test by Pakistan, under such "volatile conditions" is nothing short of a "blatant provocation" and a "desperate attempt to whip up tensions" with India, PTI quoted sources as saying.

"This is a reckless act of provocation and a dangerous escalation in its hostile campaign against India," sources said, as quoted by PTI.

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Pakistan’s sabre-rattling

The move comes in the backdrop of continuous sabre-rattling by Pakistan, which had earlier said that any move to divert its shares of water under the Indus Water Treaty, which India has put in abeyance following the Pahalgm terror attack, would be treated as “an act of war.”

Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tara had claimed that India was planning to execute a military strike within 36 hours. As for its alleged association with terrorist entities, the country had been left red-faced twice as Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and incumbent Defence Minister Khwaja Asif as publicly admitted that it backed terrorist entities albeit citing different reasons. Pakistan has also repeatedly committed ceasefire violations at the LoC since the Pahalgam terror attack.

India has consistently accused Pakistan of being involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and as has not only put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance but has also banned all kind of imports from the neighbouring country. Denying the allegation, Pakistan in a retaliatory move banned flights by Indian airlines in its airspace.

(With inputs from agencies)