Bangla Press Desk: Pakistan’s military said it carried out a “training launch” of a surface-to-surface missile weapons system on Saturday, further heightening tensions with India after last month’s deadly attack in disputed Kashmir.
New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for backing an attack on tourists last month in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking a fresh stand-off between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan’s military said Saturday 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.
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.
In an interview with Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance called on India to respond to the attack in a way “that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict”.
He also urged Pakistan to “make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with”.
“It clearly indicates that we have resources to counter India. This is not a message only for India but the rest of the world that we are well-prepared,” said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a military analyst.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir presided over a meeting of his top commanders about the “current Pakistan-India standoff”, a military statement said.
Munir “underscored the critical importance of heightened vigilance and proactive readiness across all fronts”.
Muslim-majority Kashmir, a region of around 15 million people, is divided but claimed in full between Pakistan and India.
Rebels on the Indian side have waged an insurgency since 1989, seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan.
India regularly blames its neighbour for backing gunmen behind the insurgency.
Islamabad denies the allegation, saying it only supports Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination and regularly denounces rights abuses in the region. Source: DS
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