Pahalgam aftermath: Pakistan test-fires second missile amid escalating tension with India

The latest launched missile was identified as Fatah.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the missile trial has been conducted as part of Indus exercises to assess the state of preparedness, reported Dunya News.

Pakistan on Saturday claimed to have test-fired a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a 450-km range, further escalating the tense relationship with India following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

The missile has been identified as Abdali Weapon System.

Exercise Indus

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) was quoted as saying by Dunya News that the launch was part of Exercise Indus and aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features.

Senior Pakistani Defence officials reportedly witnessed the test launch of the missile.

Pahalgam Attack

On April 22, 2025, the terrorists- belonging to The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)- asked the victims to chant Islamic verses (kalma) and made them pull down their pants to be sure of their their non-Muslim religious identities (read circumcision)  before gunning them down before their families, including wives, children and daughters.

The massacre triggered nationwide outrage and escalated India-Pakistan tensions as New Delhi vowed to avenge the killings.

In an immediate response, India suspended the landmark Indus River water-sharing treaty and closed the Attari-Wagah road border, which acts as a lifeline of Indo-Pak trade and people-to-people ties, besides expelling diplomats, downsizing high commissions, and issuing a 48-hour deadline to Pakistani visa holders present in India to leave.

Modi And Military

Modi has given the armed forces 'complete freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing' of India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack which was targeted at Hindus.

Modi took the decision on Tuesday at a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that it is 'our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism' and that he has 'complete faith and confidence' in the Indian military.

After the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, India conducted precision air strikes on terrorist camps in Balakot in Pakistan. The camps were run by banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed with the help from the Pak Army.