Pakistan test fires ballistic missile as India WW3 fears soar

Pakistan has test fired a ballistic missile as tensions with continue to mount after a fatal attack on tourists in the disputed Kashmir region. The Pakistani military said the surface-to-surface missile had a range of about 280 miles (450km). There was no immediate comment about the launch from India, which blames Pakistan for the massacre in the resort town of Pahalgam on April 22. denies the charge. Militant group, Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan's military said the launch of the Abdali Weapon System was aimed at ensuring the "operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters". This included the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated those behind the successful test.

Missiles aren't test-fired towards Pakistan's border area with India. They are usually directed at the Arabian Sea or the deserts of southwest Balochistan province.

Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons. India is believed to have 172 warheads while Pakistan has an estimated 170, according to the Arms Control Association.

Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said Saturday's missile was named after a prominent Muslim conqueror of India, underlining its symbolic significance. Ahmed Shah Abdali invaded Mughal India eight times between 1748 and 1767.

Mr Ali said: "The timing of this launch is critical in the current geopolitical context." He added that the test was intended as a strategic signal to Delhi after it had threatened to suspend a crucial water-sharing treaty.

The test firing comes after Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, told Reuters on Thursday (May 1) that .

India's navy said on April 27 that its vessels had successfully undertaken anti-ship firings to "revalidate and demonstrate" the "readiness of platforms, systems and crew for long-range precision offensive strike".

Ashok Malik, a former policy adviser in India's Foreign Ministry, said there was anger across the country in the wake of the gun attack, which claimed the lives of 26 victims from 13 different Indian states.

Mr Malik claimed: "Internationally, there is enormous sympathy for India and little patience with Pakistan. I don't believe anybody in India wants a full-fledged war. Even so, there is domestic pressure and diplomatic space for a sharp, targeted and limited response."

He added that the ongoing "muscle flexing" by both countries' troops reflected the tense mood, with "unremitting hostilities" along the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan. The region is claimed by both countries in its entirety.

They have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region, and their ties have been shaped by conflict, aggressive diplomacy and mutual suspicion, mostly due to their competing claims over Kashmir.

The latest flare-up led the two countries to . It also prompted India and Pakistan to close their airspace.

On Saturday, India suspended the exchange of all post from Pakistan via air and surface routes. It also slapped an immediate ban on the direct and indirect import of all goods from its neighbour.

India has also banned Pakistani-flagged ships from entering its ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting Pakistani ports.

India's military said on Saturday that Pakistani troops had for a ninth consecutive night. The statement called the firing unprovoked and said Indian troops "responded promptly and proportionately".

Pakistan didn't confirm the exchange of fire at the Line of Control. The incident couldn't be independently verified. In the past, each side has accused the other of starting border skirmishes.

Passions ran high among the Pakistanis who travelled to the Wagah crossing with India to see a famous flag-lowering ceremony. The spectacle involves Pakistan's Rangers and India's border Security Force in a dramatic, high-kicking parade on either side of the crossing, with just a gate separating them.

Shoaib-ur-Rehman said no other experience stirred such powerful feelings of patriotism in him and he witnessed "extraordinary emotions" during Saturday's ceremony.

Mr Rehman expressed his opposition to a war with India, but said he would fight alongside Pakistan's military if one broke out.

Sundas Batool wanted India to provide evidence of Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam attack. Batool said: "My message to India is: We are ready for anything."