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Tensions between the two countries have escalated after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam left 25 tourists and one local resident dead.
Pakistan conducted a training launch of the Abdali Weapon System (Credits: News 18)
Amid souring ties between India and Pakistan, the latter on Saturday conducted a training launch of the Abdali Weapon System — a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometers.
This comes just days after India downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Pakistan Army, in an official statement, said that the missile launch was part of “Exercise INDUS”.
“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 army said in a statement.
Senior officials, including the Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officials from the Strategic Plans Division of the Army Strategic Forces Command, and the scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organisations were also present during the test, reported PTI.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and services chiefs also congratulated the troops, scientists, and engineers after the training launch.
According to News 18 sources, the move marks a dangerous escalation and a provocative step in its ongoing hostility towards India.
Pakistan has intensified its activities by issuing frequent naval advisories, conducting aggressive drills in the Arabian Sea, and repeatedly violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
The missile test by Islamabad appears as a deliberate provocation and a reckless attempt to heighten tensions with India.
India recently took several strong measures against Pakistan, including the cancellation of visas of Pakistani nationals and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
India has also imposed a ban on ships flying the Pakistani flag from entering its ports, with Pakistan enacting a reciprocal restriction on Indian ships.
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