Pakistan on Saturday test-fired its surface-to-surface ballistic missiles with a range of 450 km amid soaring tensions with India, reports said.
Islamabad stated that the missile, known as Abdali and part of a broader missile defence system, was launched during the ongoing naval exercises titled Indus.
Islamabad is also intensifying drills in the Arabian Sea and engaging in unilateral ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), in what are being seen as acts of flagrant provocation against India. At least 51 ceasefire violations were recorded in the week following the Pahalgam attack.
Earlier, reports had indicated that Pakistan was preparing to test its medium-range Abdali system amid ongoing tensions with New Delhi. The test is being viewed by New Delhi as a “reckless act of provocation”.
The Pahalgam attack, which led to the deaths of 26 people on 22 April, has brought the two nations close to the brink of war. The ceasefire violations have continued along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir for the ninth consecutive day.
Following India’s diplomatic countermeasures since the terror attack—which included the suspension of Indian visas for Pakistani nationals, a directive to reduce staff at the Pakistani High Commission, and the closure of the Attari border—Pakistan has been consistently issuing NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) threatening missile test launches in the region as a show of force.
According to sources familiar with the developments, “Pakistan was preparing to test-fire surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, which would be perceived in New Delhi as a 'reckless act of provocation and a dangerous escalation in its hostile campaign against India.’”
The sources also confirmed that the planned missile test in such a tense environment was a “desperate attempt to whip up tensions with India”.
Since the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan issued the first NOTAM on the night of 23 April with less than 24 hours’ notice for test firing; however, no ballistic missile firing was observed.
Soon afterwards, notifications were issued for 26–27 April regarding firing by Pakistani naval ships off the coast of Karachi; however, no firing drills were carried out.
After two non-attempts, Pakistan made a third attempt between 30 April and 2 May to carry out firings close to India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, but once again, no firings occurred.
With the continuous exchange of gunfire on the border in Jammu and Kashmir and increasing tensions fuelled by sabre-rattling from Pakistani politicians, this fourth provocation—regarding a proposed surface-to-surface missile test—has the potential to dramatically escalate tensions with India.
While some Pakistani politicians have claimed there are fewer chances of India and Pakistan escalating the situation into aerial or ground confrontations, military observers remain wary of the rapidly worsening environment.
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