Pakistan tests missile, tensions with India rise

AFP | Islamabad

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Pakistan’s military said it carried out a “training launch” of a surface-to-surface missile weapons system yesterday, further heightening tensions with India after last month’s deadly attack in Kashmir.

New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for backing an attack on tourists last month in India’s Kashmir, sparking a fresh standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan’s military said yesterday it conducted a “successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System”, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometres (279 miles).

“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,” Pakistan’s military said in a statement.

It did not say where the test took place. The missile training launch comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has given his military “full operational freedom” to respond to the attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists.

Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attack and called for an independent probe.

This week Islamabad warned of an imminent air strike from its neighbour, and has repeatedly made clear it will respond with force to any aggression by India.

International pressure has been piled on both New Delhi and Islamabad -- who have fought several wars over the disputed Kashmir region -- to de-escalate.