Pakistan successfully launches short-range ballistic missile in show of strength VIDEO

Pakistan's military successfully tested the launch of its short-range Abdali ballistic missile, a surface-to-surface weapon with a range of 450 kilometres.

The test, part of the ongoing "Ex Indus" exercise, was conducted to ensure operational readiness and validate critical technical parameters of the missile, including its advanced navigation system and enhanced maneuverability, Caliber.Az reports citing Pakistani media.

The launch was witnessed by senior military officials, including the commander of the Army Strategic Forces Command (AFSC), members of the Strategic Plans Division, and scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organizations. The military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), released a video showcasing the successful launch.

The missile test comes at a time of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India following a deadly attack in Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 people. Pakistan has rejected Indian claims of cross-border links and has called for an impartial investigation. The attack has significantly strained relations, with Pakistan reinforcing its forces in anticipation of potential Indian aggression.

Pakistan’s leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and military officials, congratulated the troops, scientists, and engineers involved in the successful missile test. They expressed confidence in the operational preparedness and technical capabilities of Pakistan's Strategic Forces to maintain "credible minimum deterrence" and ensure national security against any external threat.

The missile test is seen by many analysts as a warning to India, signaling that Pakistan is prepared to counter any aggression. Military analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi noted, "It clearly indicates that we have the resources to counter India. This is not a message only for India but the rest of the world that we are well-prepared."

Tensions between the two nuclear powers have intensified, with Pakistan and India engaging in skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan's military leadership has emphasized that any misadventure by India would be met with a “swift, resolute and notch-up response,” highlighting the volatile situation in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva