By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Saturday it had successfully conducted a training launch of its Abdali surface-to-surface missile system, which has a range of 450 kilometers (280 miles).
The test comes amid heightened tensions with neighboring India following a last week attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir, marking one of the lowest points in relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“Pakistan today conducted a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System— a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometers as part of Ex INDUS,” military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“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.”
After the Pahalgam incident, where gunmen killed 26 people in one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in nearly two decades, India claimed cross-border involvement in the attack without providing evidence, an accusation Pakistan has rejected, calling instead for a neutral investigation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his military “full operational freedom” to respond to the attack, while Pakistan’s top military brass on Friday warned New Delhi “any attempt to impose war will be responded decisively”.
Tensions escalated as India expelled Pakistani diplomats and nationals, closed a key border crossing and suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which has governed the distribution of river waters between the two countries since 1960.
Pakistan retaliated and closed its air space for Indian airlines, suspended all trade including through third countries and halted special South Asian visas issued to Indian nationals. Islamabad will also exercise the right to hold all bilateral accords with India, including Simla Agreement, in abeyance until New Delhi desists from “fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan”
The ISPR said Saturday’s missile launch was witnessed by the senior military officials as well as scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organizations.
“The President, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Services Chiefs extended their congratulations to the participating troops, scientists, and engineers,” it added. “They expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan’s Strategic Forces to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security against any aggression.”
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