Pakistan has conducted a ballistic missile test as friction with India intensifies following a deadly assault on tourists in the disputed Kashmir region last month. The Pakistani military confirmed the successful launch of the Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile with a 450-kilometre range, emphasizing its advanced navigation system and improved maneuverability.
The test comes amid heightened regional alertness after the April 22 shooting in Pahalgam, a popular tourist area in Indian-administered Kashmir, where multiple civilians were killed. India has accused Pakistan of backing the attackers, a claim Islamabad firmly denies.
Pakistan’s military stated the launch was part of efforts to maintain operational preparedness and verify key missile capabilities. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the military and scientific teams responsible for the launch. The test was not directed toward Indian territory, as missiles are typically launched into remote desert regions or the Arabian Sea.
Tensions were further stoked when Indian naval forces reported successful anti-ship missile firings on April 27, aimed at confirming long-range strike capabilities. Just days earlier, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed Islamabad had reliable intelligence indicating an imminent Indian attack.
The Kashmir region remains a deeply contested territory, divided between the two nuclear-armed neighbours but claimed fully by both. The situation has raised concerns among international observers about a potential escalation if diplomatic channels fail to ease hostilities.
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