The Pakistan military announced on Monday that it had conducted a missile test with a range of 120 kilometers or approximately 75 miles. This marks the second missile launch in just two days as tensions between Pakistan and India escalate over the disputed Kashmir region.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting a deadly attack on tourists on the Indian side of Kashmir last month. This incident has reignited a fierce stand-off between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The Pakistani military stated that the missile launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of its troops and verifying key technical aspects of the missile, including its advanced navigation system and increased accuracy.
On Saturday, Pakistan had announced a test of a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometers or roughly 280 miles. The locations of both tests have not been disclosed by the military.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence in the country’s military preparedness. He stated that he was satisfied with the military’s full readiness for national defense. In a public statement, he emphasized that the successful launch demonstrated that Pakistan’s defense forces are in strong hands.
This missile testing comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the Indian military has been given full operational freedom to respond to the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 people. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attack and has called for an independent investigation.
Last week, Islamabad warned of an imminent air strike from India and has repeatedly stated that it will respond with force to any aggression by its neighbor. International efforts to de-escalate the situation continue, with both nations under pressure to reduce tensions.
Along the militarized Line of Control, the de facto border in Kashmir, Indian defense sources report that nightly exchanges of gunfire have been ongoing for more than a week. The region of Kashmir, with a Muslim-majority population of around 15 million, remains divided between Pakistan and India, with both countries claiming the entire territory.
On the Pakistani side, emergency drills have been conducted on playing fields, residents have been advised to stockpile food and medicine, and religious schools have been temporarily closed. Meanwhile, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, authorities continue a large-scale manhunt for the gunmen responsible for recent attacks. People living near the frontier are moving away or preparing bunkers out of fear of potential conflict.
In response to the rising tensions, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed an official visit to Malaysia scheduled for Friday. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the postponement, stating that the two leaders spoke on Sunday night and that Sharif expressed his intention to visit Malaysia later this year.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for an official visit, signaling ongoing diplomatic efforts. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters during a visit to Pakistan-administered Kashmir that the country is actively presenting its case to friendly nations at this tense time.
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