Amid rising tensions with India, Pakistan makes another SHOCKING move, Islamabad starts preparations for…
India views Pakistan’s reported move to carry out a ballistic missile test, while tensions remain high following the Pahalgam terror attack, as a dangerous and irresponsible step, according to people familiar with the situation. The missile test plan comes amid a series of actions by Pakistan that India sees as aggressive. These include increased naval exercises in the Arabian Sea and frequent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Relations between the two neighbours have sharply deteriorated since the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists. In response, India has taken strong measures, including halting the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari land crossing — the only active road border between the two countries.
“Pakistan is believed to be getting ready to launch a surface-to-surface missile this week,” said one of the sources to hindustantimes.com. Calling the move a “reckless provocation,” the person added that this kind of behaviour, especially at such a sensitive time, only adds fuel to the fire.
Sources told the publication that Pakistan has also been quick to issue naval alerts, step up activity in the Arabian Sea, and has not stopped its repeated violations along the LoC since the attack in Pahalgam. These steps, they said, seem aimed at creating further tension rather than easing the situation.
Between January and early April this year, Pakistani forces violated the February 2021 ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) about 15 times. However, the situation escalated sharply on Wednesday when Pakistani troops opened fire at several Indian posts along both the LoC and the international border, triggering the most intense cross-border exchange since the truce was reinstated in 2021.
Unlike earlier minor and short-lived incidents that were quickly managed through communication channels, the recent attacks have been more widespread and coordinated, occurring at multiple locations and growing in intensity since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the Indian armed forces full freedom to choose how and when to respond. He also emphasized India’s firm commitment to strike hard against terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated during a press briefing on Wednesday that Pakistan does not intend to escalate the situation but will hit back “very strongly” if provoked. He also dismissed claims linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack and called for an independent probe.
In retaliation to India’s actions, Pakistan has introduced several measures of its own, including shutting down its airspace to Indian commercial flights and halting all forms of trade, even those routed through third countries.
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