Islamabad – Pakistan tested the ballistic missile on Saturday as India got along with the deadly attacks on tourists in the Kashmir region last month.
The Pakistani military said the range of surface-to-surface missiles is about 280 miles. There is no immediate comment on the Indian launch that blames Pakistan on April 22 massacre in Pakistan's resort town of Pahalgam.
Pakistan's military said the launch of the Abdali weapon system is designed to ensure “the operational preparation of the troops and validate key technical parameters”, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced operability capabilities.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated those who successfully tested. Missiles are not launched into the Indian border areas; they are usually sent into the Arabian Sea or the desert in the southwestern Balluchistan province.
Syed Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based security analyst, said Saturday’s missile was named after India’s famous Muslim conquerors, emphasizing its symbolic significance.
“In the current geopolitical context, the timing of this launch is crucial,” Ali told the Associated Press. He said the test aims to suspend a vital moisture in India and is a strategic signal to India.
The Indian Navy said on April 27 that its vessels had successfully carried out anti-ship fire shootings to “reestimate and prove that the platform, system and crew are ready for a long-term precision offensive strike.”
Ashok Malik, a former policy adviser to the Indian Foreign Ministry, said there was anger across the country after the shooting. 26 victims came from 13 different states.
“Internationally, India has great sympathy for Pakistan,” Malik said. “I don't believe anyone in India wants a full-blown war. Even so, domestic pressure and diplomatic space can make sharp, targeted and limited responses.”
He said the ongoing “muscle bending” of the forces of both countries reflects tension and was evident in the “relative hostilities” on the control line that the de facto border separates Kashmir.
Kashmir split between India and Pakistan and all claimed.
They have fought two of three wars in the amazing Himalayas, and their relationship is affected by conflict, active diplomacy and mutual doubt, mainly due to their competitive claims against Kashmir.
The latest outbreak has caused the two countries to expel each other's diplomats and citizens, as well as the closure of airspace.
On Saturday, India suspended the exchange of all mail from Pakistan through air and ground routes and immediately prohibited the import of all goods from its neighbors directly and indirectly.
India also bans Pakistani-signed vessels from entering its ports and prohibits Indian-signed vessels from visiting Pakistani ports.
The Indian military said on Saturday that Pakistani troops opened fire at the border location for the ninth consecutive night. The statement said the firing was unreasonable and said the Indian army “reacted quickly and proportionally”.
Pakistan did not confirm the exchange of fire on the control line.
This event cannot be verified independently. In the past, both sides accused each other of starting a border skirmish.
The passion continues high among the Pakistanis who travel to the intersection with the Wagah of India.
The wonder involved Pakistan’s Rangers and India’s border security forces, and conducted a dramatic parade on both sides of the intersection, with only one gate between them and their high kicks stretching out the sky.
Shoaib-ur-Rehman said no other experience inspired his intense patriotism towards him, and he witnessed “extraordinary emotions” during a ceremony on Saturday.
Rehman expressed opposition to the war with India, but said he would fight Pakistan's troops if anyone broke out.
Sundas Batool hopes India provides evidence about Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam attack.
“Other end must have seen our energy, our spirit,” Barbardou said, referring to the crowd on the other side of the border. “My message to India is: We are ready.”
