Pakistan’s military announced on Monday the successful testing of a short-range missile with a range of 120 kilometres, marking its second missile launch in just two days as tensions rise sharply with neighbouring India over the disputed Kashmir region.
The Pakistani army stated that the launch aimed to “ensure the operational readiness of troops and validate key technical parameters,” including improvements in the missile’s navigation and targeting systems. The announcement comes on the heels of Saturday’s test of a longer-range surface-to-surface missile capable of reaching 450 kilometres.
Though the military did not disclose the exact locations of the tests, the timing suggests a deliberate show of strength amid heightened regional anxiety following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir earlier this month.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting the April 22 assault in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, most of them tourists. The incident has reignited long-standing hostilities between the two nuclear-armed rivals, both of whom claim the Himalayan territory of Kashmir in full but control parts of it.
In response to the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted his armed forces “full operational freedom,” signalling a potential military response. Pakistan, however, has firmly denied any involvement and called for an independent international investigation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the missile launches, saying they demonstrated the “full preparedness” of Pakistan’s defence forces. “The successful training launch clearly shows that Pakistan’s defence is in strong hands,” he said in an official statement.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has issued warnings about a possible air strike from India and stressed it will retaliate decisively against any act of aggression. Residents in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have begun preparing for potential conflict, with emergency drills held, schools closed, and stockpiling of food and medicine underway.
On the Indian side of the Line of Control, the militarised frontier dividing Kashmir, security forces have launched an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, while civilians near the border have begun vacating their homes or reinforcing underground bunkers.
The escalation has prompted calls for restraint from the international community. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Islamabad Monday for a scheduled visit, while Pakistani officials said they are actively briefing allied nations. “Pakistan is presenting its case to friendly countries,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said during a visit to Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Sharif has also postponed a planned official visit to Malaysia, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed, citing the ongoing crisis.
