The Pakistani military has announced the successful test of a ballistic missile, stating the launch was aimed at assessing the army’s readiness to respond to any threat and to validate critical technical parameters.
This test took place last Saturday as tensions between Pakistan and India continue to escalate following a deadly attack that targeted tourists in the disputed Kashmir region, a territory long contested by the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
According to a statement by the Pakistani military, the missile tested is capable of striking targets up to 450 kilometers away.
The trial of the Abdali missile was reportedly conducted to confirm “the operational readiness of the armed forces and validate essential technical benchmarks,” including the latest missile guidance systems, the military added.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both congratulated the scientists, researchers, and all personnel involved for the successful test.
In a recent statement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that Pakistan has “credible intelligence” indicating India is preparing an attack on Pakistan. Tarar vowed that the country would deliver a “strong and decisive response” should any aggression occur, reminding both nations of their nuclear capabilities.
On Friday, Pakistan urged its allied countries in the Gulf region to intervene diplomatically to defuse the growing tensions with India. This call for support came in the wake of the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, most of them Hindus.
India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the assault — a claim Islamabad has firmly denied.
