Pakistan’s military has conducted a second missile test in three days as part of its ongoing military exercises, further heightening tensions with neighboring India. The latest launch, on Monday, saw the test of the Fatah series surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of 120 km. The test took place during the military’s Exercise Indus, aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of Pakistani forces.
This follows Saturday’s test of the Abdali ballistic missile, a more powerful missile with a range of 450 km. Both missile tests come against the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, largely due to the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. The attack has triggered severe diplomatic and political responses from India, including punitive measures against Pakistan.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Fatah missile test was conducted to validate key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and its enhanced accuracy. The missile, which carries a conventional warhead, is part of Pakistan’s strategy to ensure the operational readiness of its troops.
Pakistan’s leadership has expressed strong confidence in the country’s military capabilities. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Mirza, and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir both assured the nation of the military’s preparedness to thwart any potential aggression against Pakistan’s territorial integrity. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the military’s success in the missile test, emphasizing the country’s defense strength.
In response to India’s condemnation of the missile tests, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar accused India of attempting to divert attention from its “internal challenges” in Jammu and Kashmir. He further suggested that India’s actions were politically motivated, particularly in light of upcoming by-elections in Bihar. Dar labeled India’s actions as “unilateral” and “highly provocative,” emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to de-escalation.
India, for its part, has yet to release an official statement on the Fatah missile test. However, the country had earlier expressed its displeasure with the Abdali missile test, describing it as an “act of provocation.”
As tensions between the two nations continue to escalate, the situation remains fragile, with both sides signaling their readiness to respond to any further military actions. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently granted the country’s armed forces full operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of their response to the Pahalgam attack, a move that further intensifies the atmosphere of uncertainty.
With both countries engaging in military exercises and heightened rhetoric, the prospect of further escalation looms large. While Pakistan’s leadership has called for de-escalation, it remains to be seen whether diplomatic efforts can avert a full-blown crisis.
Sources By Agencies
