Pakistan has conducted a successful test of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 450 kilometres, officials announced on Saturday. The missile, named the Abdali Weapon System, was launched during Exercise INDUS, which Islamabad said was part of an operational drill.
In an official statement, the Pakistani government said the purpose of the launch was to assess the readiness of its forces and to verify the missile&rsquo;s key capabilities.&nbsp;
&ldquo;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,&rdquo; the statement read.
The missile launch comes at a time of escalating tensions with India, following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. Indian government sources have described any missile test by Pakistan as a &ldquo;grave provocation&rdquo;, particularly in light of recent hostilities.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and top military leadership expressed &ldquo;complete confidence&rdquo; in the forces&rsquo; operational preparedness and technical expertise to safeguard the nation's security.
In recent weeks, Pakistan has been accused of attempting to provoke India through frequent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, areas that divide Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Indian territory.&nbsp;
According to Indian authorities, every such attempt has been met with an effective response.
Tensions have been further fuelled by inflammatory statements from Pakistani officials. On April 29, Pakistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister said, &ldquo;If something has to happen, it will happen in 2-3 days.&rdquo; Earlier, Information Minister Ataullah Tara had alleged that India was preparing to carry out an attack within 36 hours. More than 72 hours have passed since that claim.
On April 22, a terror attack in Baisaran meadow, a tourist area in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam region, resulted in the deaths of at least 26 civilians, including a tourist from Nepal and a local pony guide. A terror group affiliated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for the killings.
After the attack and the identification of links to Pakistan, India took immediate diplomatic and economic actions. The government terminated the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelled all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, and instructed those residing in India to leave, including individuals holding medical visas.
Pakistan responded by threatening to suspend all existing bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement. Diplomatic ties between the two nations have since been significantly downgraded.
India has also imposed a complete ban on imports from Pakistan. In addition, ships flying the Pakistani flag have been barred from entering Indian waters.
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Pakistan tested its 450-km range Abdali missile during Exercise INDUS amid escalating tensions with India

Pak Missile Test Amid Row Over Pahalgam Attack

Pakistan tested its 450-km range Abdali missile during Exercise INDUS amid escalating tensions with India

May 3, 2025 | 16:18 IST