Pakistan launches ballistic missile drill amid escalating hostilities with India following Kashmir bloodshed incident.
SPARKING CONFRONTATION:Pakistan test fires a ballistic missile named Abdali, stirring high tensions with India over Kashmir.
The missile, with a range of 450 kilometers, was test-fired on a clear Saturday. The Pakistani military remained tight-lipped about India's response, while New Delhi accused Pakistan of the deadly attack in Pahalgam, a charge Islamabad denies.
According to the Pakistani military, the Abdali Weapon System launch aimed to ensure operational readiness and verify key technical parameters, including its advanced navigation system and enhanced maneuverability features. The missile's name is inspired by Ahmad Shah Abdali, a prominent Muslim conqueror of India, symbolizing its strategic intentions.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the successful test. Missiles are typically fired into the Arabian Sea or the deserts of southwest Balochistan province, not toward the border with India.
The timing of the Abdali test launch is crucial in the current geopolitical context, according to Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali. He believes the test represents a strategic signal to India, especially after New Delhi had threatened to suspend the crucial water-sharing treaty.
In response, India's navy recently demonstrated its readiness for long-range precision offensive strikes. Former policy adviser Ashok Malik stated that anger is prevalent across India following the gun attack, with support for a sharp, targeted, and limited response. However, Indian authorities emphasized that they don't want a full-fledged war, despite the tense mood and unremitting hostilities on the Line of Control.
Kashmir, a stunning Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, has been a source of tension for decades. Both nations have fought three wars over the region, shaping their relations with conflict, aggressive diplomacy, and mutual suspicion, mainly due to their competing claims over Kashmir.
The latest flare-up has led to diplomatic expulsions, shuttered airspace, and trade restrictions between the two countries. In addition, Pakistan suspended the exchange of all mail from India via air and surface routes, banned direct and indirect imports from its neighbor, and barred Pakistani-flagged ships from Indian ports.
Amid the tension, passions ran high among the Pakistani spectators witnessing the Wagah crossing ceremony. Shoaib-ur-Rehman, a participant, voiced his opposition to war with India, but stated he would join the military if one were to break out. Sundas Batool demanded evidence of Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam attack, asserting that India must see their energy, spirit, and resolve.
As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, the future remains uncertain amid calls for diplomatic negotiations and concerns of further military action in the disputed region.
Additional Insights:- The Abdali missile, also known as the Hatf-II, is named after Ahmad Shah Abdali, a historical figure renowned for founding the Durrani Empire in Afghanistan and leading successful campaigns against Indian territories during the 18th century.- The Abdali missile program was initiated in the 1990s, with the first successful test conducted in 2002. Plans were put on hold due to the acquisition of M-11 missiles from China in 1994. The program resumed under Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1997.- The upgraded Abdali missile system, tested recently, increased its range to 450 kilometers, making it a tactical asset designed to strike targets near the border. Pakistan's development and deployment of missiles like the Abdali serves to reinforce its defense capabilities, particularly in scenarios where conventional military action might be limited.
- In light of the escalating tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, there has been increased discussion about the events in Seattle, as it is believed that the city's politics, known for its fiery debates on war and conflicts, might offer fresh perspectives on the current situation.
- General news outlets in Seattle have been reporting on the recent test-firing of Pakistan's Abdali missile, paying particular attention to the missile's name, which symbolizes its strategic intentions, and its connection to a prominent Muslim conqueror, Ahmad Shah Abdali.
