Islamabad: Pakistan’s army performed a successful test-launch of a Fatah Serfes-to-Surface missile with a 120 km border as part of its ongoing “Exercise Indus”, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
It follows the testing of the Abdali weapon system on Saturday, which is a ballistic missile with a 450 km range, which increases the military posture amidst the possibility of an Indian infiltration.
The tests celebrated by President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief General Syed Asim Munir of the Army underline Pakistan’s resolve to increase their defense capabilities in a unstable regional climate of Pakistan.
According to ISPR, the goal of Monday’s Fateh launch was to verify “major technical parameters”, such as correction accurate and advanced navigation, and guaranteeing “the operational readiness of soldiers”. A similar emphasis was laid on technical proficiency during Saturday’s Abdali testing, where military authorities praised better navigation and dynamics capabilities of the missile. Senior Army Strategic Forces Command leaders, scientists and engineers saw both launch, which was presented as action to preserve “reliable minimum preventive” against external aggression.The symbolic name of exercise, “Indus”, for the Indus River System, a lifeline Pakistan is afraid that India may threaten after suspension of the Dindus Waters Treaty of New Delhi.
Tension has increased since the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April, claiming the lives of 26 people, most of the citizens. India has vowed serious vengeance, alleging Pakistan’s “cross-border linkage” for the incident. The fear of Pakistan of a possible military attack has been extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to give “complete operational freedom” to India’s armed forces.The Abdali test on Saturday was described by Indian authorities as “dangerous growth” and “careless act of provocation”, with reports that New Delhi had estimated Pakistan’s missile test. In response, Pakistan has denied India’s allegations, demanding a fair inquiry into the Nephalgam terror attack, and threatened that any attempt to disrupt the Indus water flow would be considered as an act of war.
