- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 05 May 2025 02:24 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan on Monday conducted a training launch of a FATAH Series surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres as part of ongoing “Exercise INDUS", Pakistan news outlet Dawn reported. The launch comes amid strained ties between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Earlier, the Pakistani military carried out the launch of the Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 450 km on May 3. India considers Pakistan's test launch of a ballistic missile on Saturday amid escalating tensions between the two countries over the Pahalgam terror attack as a "blatant" act of "provocation", news agency PTI reported citing people familiar with the matter on Saturday.
Tensions between India and Pakistan are escalating following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Citing "cross-border linkages" to the horrific attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved. Many global powers including the US and European Union have called on both sides to de-escalate tensions while unequivocally condemning the terror strike.
'Pakistan Frantically Issuing Naval Warnings'
The people cited above also said that Pakistan has been frantically issuing naval warnings, ramping up naval drills in the Arabian Sea, and indulging in continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir since the April 22 terror attack.
India has already asserted that the "perpetrators, backers and planners" of the terror attack must be brought to justice. Last week, in a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror attack, PTI reported citing sources.
India's Stern Response To Pahalgam Attack
India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack.
In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. In fresh punitive measures, India imposed a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect on the grounds of national security and public policy. New Delhi also suspended all postal services from Pakistan and banned entry of Pakistani-flagged ships at Indian ports.
(With Agency Inputs)