‘Act of provocation’, says India as Pak test-fires Abdali missile amid strained ties over Pahalgam

PTI, ISLAMABAD / NEW DELHI, MAY 3, 2025 :  Pakistan on Saturday announced that it has conducted a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System — a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km, amid heightened tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack.

“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,” the Pakistan Army said in a statement.

The Army said the missile launch was part of “Exercise INDUS”, without giving details about the exercise. The training launch was witnessed by the Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officials from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, as well as scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organisations.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and services chiefs extended their congratulations to the participating troops, scientists, and engineers. They expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan’s Strategic Forces to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security against any aggression.

Hours after the incident, sources said that India considers Pakistan's move as a "blatant" act of "provocation." The missile test is a "blatant act of provocation," the people cited above said. However, there is no official reaction by India on the Pakistani missile test.

Tensions between the two neighbouring countries are escalating following last week's dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Citing "cross-border linkages" to the horrific attack, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike.

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. In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror attack, according to Union government sources.

The Prime Minister affirmed that it is a national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, they said after the meeting.

‘Act of provocation’, says India as Pak test-fires Abdali missile amid strained ties over Pahalgam

India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational 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.