Pahalgam aftermath: Pakistan test-fires ballistic missile with 450-km range amid escalation in tension with India

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.

Following the successful launch, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Services Chiefs expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan’s strategic forces to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security, reported Dunya News.

Ceasefire

Following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has been provoking India with regular ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

India Bans All Imports From Pakistan

India has banned all direct or indirect imports from Pakistan in another diplomatic strike on Islamabad in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, media reports said.

The Commerce Industry has issued a notification which reads as quoted by NDTV, "Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders.

Pahalgam Attack

Twenty-six people, including 23 Hindu male tourists, were killed by terrorists in Baisaran meadows, a popular destination in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, on April 22.

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.