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Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan conducted a test of its Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Saturday. The missile, with an extended range of 450 kilometers, was launched just hours after Indian authorities described the planned test as a “reckless act of provocation” and a “dangerous escalation.”
According to a statement from Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the test was part of a military exercise named Exercise Indus and aimed at validating the missile’s technical upgrades, including its advanced navigation system and improved maneuverability. The launch also served to ensure the operational readiness of Pakistan’s strategic forces.
The Abdali missile, already deployed by Pakistan’s strategic command, was previously reported to have a range of 180 to 200 kilometers. Saturday’s test appeared to demonstrate a significant enhancement in its range and capabilities, though ISPR did not confirm the specific upgrades in its release.
The timing of the missile launch raised alarms in New Delhi. Citing unnamed officials, Indian media reported that the test followed a series of provocative actions by Pakistan, including ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), intensified naval exercises in the Arabian Sea, and the issuing of sudden naval advisories. These developments have come in the wake of India’s strong reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack, which left multiple Indian security personnel dead.
One senior Indian official stated, “This planned missile test, under such volatile conditions, is nothing short of a blatant provocation and a desperate attempt to whip up tensions with India.”
The ISPR stated that the launch was observed by senior leadership, including the commander of Pakistan’s Army Strategic Forces Command, personnel from the Strategic Plans Division, and engineers and scientists involved in the country’s missile development programs.
In a show of national unity and support for the armed forces, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the country’s top military leaders lauded the successful launch. They reiterated their confidence in the readiness and technological capabilities of Pakistan’s strategic forces, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining “credible minimum deterrence” against any threats to national security.
The military drill, Exercise Indus, appears symbolically linked to recent tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty. India recently announced its decision to suspend key provisions of the treaty as a punitive step following the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan has warned that any attempts to restrict or divert its share of river waters under the treaty would be viewed as an “act of war.”
Meanwhile, cross-border firing incidents have escalated. Pakistani troops have reportedly violated the 2021 LoC ceasefire agreement approximately 15 times since January, with the most significant flare-up occurring last week.
India and Pakistan have both conducted military drills recently, signaling heightened military readiness on both sides. On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorized the country’s armed forces to determine the mode, timing, and targets of India’s response to the Pahalgam attack, underscoring the country’s resolve to combat terrorism.
In response, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated at a press briefing that while Pakistan would avoid any escalatory moves, it would respond “very strongly” to any perceived aggression by India. Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and has called for an independent investigation.
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