Pakistan’s military test-fired a ballistic missile on 3 May. The measure was part of New Delhi’s response to the attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, among them Indian nationals, on 22 April.
A video released by Pakistan’s army shows the missile taking off into the sky, with soldiers looking on while shouting joyous slogans. The military says it tested the Abdali surface-to-surface missile system, which has a range of 450 kilometres.
“The launch was aimed at ensuring operational readiness of troops and testing key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability,” the Pakistani military said.
The two countries have been at odds since militants killed 26 people in the Himalayan mountain town of Pahalgam in Indian-controlled Kashmir on 22 April.
The attack sparked widespread outrage across India and brought nuclear rivals India and Pakistan to the brink of conflict.
India had earlier announced its withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelled Pakistani visas and urged its citizens to leave Pakistan.
In response, Islamabad closed the skies to Indian airlines and halted bilateral trade.
Pakistan said on 30 April that it had” credible intelligence “that India was planning to attack it within days and vowed to respond “very strongly”.
Indian authorities have not commented.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in separate telephone conversations with representatives of India and Pakistan, emphasised the need to “avoid a confrontation that could lead to tragic consequences”. And US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged India and Pakistan to co-operate to de-escalate tensions.