Pakistan test-fires 2nd missile as tensions with India mount over Pahalgam attack
Pakistan on Monday test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres as part of the ongoing exercise INDUS, the military said.
'The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy,' the military said in a statement, adding that the surface-to-surface missile had a range of 120 kilometres (75 miles).
The latest test firing comes after the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and the Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, met the Prime Minister and briefed him about the armed forces' operational preparedness.
This is the second such test since Saturday, when the Pakistani armed forces tested the Abdali ballistic missile defence system, which has a range of 450km.
India has not commented on Pakistan's missile tests, but officials had termed before the launch that it would be considered an 'act of reckless provocation.'
The Pakistan government and military briefed all political parties on Sunday on the current state of bilateral relations with India, the Dawn reported. Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party also attended the briefing virtually.
According to the report, all political parties vowed a robust response if India resorted to any 'misadventure.'
Anticipating a military response from India after PM Modi granted the armed forces 'complete freedom' to retaliate, Pakistan has been mobilising its armed forces and carrying out intense drills and live firings in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy has also been holding naval drills on the West Coast.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, visited Pakistan on Monday to try and de-escalate the country's tensions with India after the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Araghchi will meet his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, as well as President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan's foreign ministry did not give further details. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters that 'Pakistan is presenting its case to friendly countries.'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Pakistani counterpart on Sunday that Moscow is willing to act to 'a political settlement' of escalating tensions between Pakistan and India if the two countries mutually desire it.
'It was stressed that Russia is ready to act for a political settlement of the situation resulting from the act of terrorism of April 22 in the Pahalgam area of the Kashmir valley, in the event of a mutual desire on the part of Islamabad and New Delhi,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram.
(With inputs from Rezaul Laskar)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Russia Ukraine war: Moscow launches nearly 500 drones for bombardment, biggest attack in three-year war
Russia launched almost 500 drones at Ukraine in the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the three-year war, the Ukrainian air force said Monday, as the Kremlin pressed its summer offensive amid direct peace talks that have yet to deliver progress on stopping the fighting. Despite the difficulties in reaching a ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine swapped another batch of prisoners of war on Monday. In addition to the 479 drones, 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine from Sunday to Monday, according to the air force, which said the barrage targeted mainly central and western areas. Ukraine's air force said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles, claiming only 10 drones or missiles hit their targets. Officials said one person was injured. It was not possible to independently verify the claims. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo A recent escalation in aerial attacks has coincided with a renewed Russian battlefield push along eastern and northeastern parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Sunday that in some of those areas, 'the situation is very difficult.' He provided no details. Live Events Ukraine is short-handed on the front line against its bigger enemy and needs more military support from its Western partners, especially air defences. But uncertainty about the US policy on the war has fuelled doubts about how much help Kyiv can count on. Ukraine has produced some stunning counter-punches, however. Its June 1 drone attack on distant Russian air bases was unprecedented in its scope and sophistication. Russia intensifies its attacks The Ukrainian General Staff said special operations forces struck two Russian fighter jets stationed at the Savasleyka airfield in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region located about 650 kilometres northeast of the Ukrainian border. The statement did not say how the planes were hit and there was no immediate comment on the claim from Russian authorities. Some Russian war bloggers said there was no damage to the warplanes. Russian officials have said the recent intensified assaults are part of a series of retaliatory strikes for Ukraine's drone attack on air bases that were hosting nuclear-capable strategic bombers. A strike on a Ukrainian air base in Dubno, in the western Rivne region, was one such response, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday. Two recent rounds of direct peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul have yielded no significant breakthroughs beyond pledges to swap prisoners as well as thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he will keep fighting until his conditions are met. FAQs Q1. Who is President of Russia? A1. President of Russia is Vladimir Putin. Q2. Who is President of Ukraine? A2. Ukraine's President is Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Pakistans Debt Crisis Explodes: Burden Mounts To 76,007,000,000,000 PKR Exposing Islamabads Vulnerability
Pakistan Economic Crisis: Pakistan is often called the begging bowl of the world, especially among the Islamic nations. Every now and then, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is seen visiting friendly countries seeking assistance, investments and support while its Army keeps spending on building terror infrastructure. Now, a fresh report has revealed a staggering surge in Pakistan's debt. While Pakistan has been facing burgeoning inflation, the country's national debt is soaring to a record high. A new Economic Survey, released this Monday, reveals that Pakistan's debt has soared to an unprecedented high, painting a deeply concerning picture for its economic future. According to the CNN-NEWS18 report, Pakistan's total public debt hit a staggering 76,007 billion Pakistani Rupees (PKR)—that's 76 trillion —by the end of March 2025. This marks the highest debt level in the country's history. To put that into perspective, it translates to approximately INR 23.1 trillion or US $269.344 billion. The rapid escalation of this debt is particularly alarming. Just four years ago, in 2020-21, Pakistan's public debt stood at 39,860 billion PKR, meaning it has nearly doubled in that short span. Looking back a decade, the figure was just 17,380 billion PKR, indicating that the nation's public debt has ballooned by almost five times over the past ten years. This colossal sum of 76,007 billion PKR is made up of 51,518 billion PKR in domestic debt and 24,489 billion PKR in external debt. The Economic Survey itself warns of the dangers, stating that "excessive or poorly managed debt can pose serious vulnerabilities, such as rising interest burdens and can undermine long-term fiscal sustainability and economic security if left unaddressed." Amidst this backdrop, Pakistan recently received a US $1.03 billion aid package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its Extended Fund Facility, an attempt to provide some relief to its strained economy. Notably, Pakistan is planning to increase its defence spending in wake of the Operation Sindoor where it faced a humiliating defeat against India. Pakistan has repeatedly been accused of diverting development funds towards terror and military infrastructure.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump Military Parade on June 14: Event schedule, free tickets, and how to watch live
Parade Route and Timings Day-Long Events: Army Birthday Festival Live Events Key Performances and Ceremonial Highlights How to Attend or Watch Online FAQs What is the occasion for the Donald Trump parade on June 14, 2025? When and where will the parade take place? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Preparations are in full swing in Washington, D.C., for what is expected to be one of the largest ceremonial displays of U.S. military power in recent years. A grand Donald Trump parade, scheduled for Friday, June 14, will not only celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary but will also fall on the 79th birthday of U.S. President Donald Trump. Although officials stress that the event is a formal tribute to the Army's historic legacy, the convergence of dates has led to widespread public interest, with many dubbing it the unofficial Trump birthday military procession will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, traversing six blocks of Constitution Avenue NW in central Washington, D.C. The route stretches from 23rd Street NW to 15th Street NW, passing key national landmarks and ending near the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as mentioned in a report by USA Trump is expected to view the march from a dedicated stand positioned on Constitution Avenue, near the White House. Trump's military parade will include troops in historical and modern uniforms, heavy artillery displays, flyovers by Blackhawk helicopters and vintage warplanes, and several military Army Birthday Festival, an all-day affair preceding the parade, begins at 11 a.m. ET and will be held between 14th Street SW and the 12th Street Expressway, near Madison and Jefferson Drives on the National to event organizers, activities will include military demonstrations, interactive equipment exhibits, live music, and family-friendly zones. A fitness challenge, open to the public, will take place between 9:30 a.m. and noon, as per a report by USA guests from sports and entertainment, including NFL players and social media influencers, are also scheduled to participate in meet-and-greet sessions. Among the featured performers are country artists Scotty Hasting and Noah Hicks, alongside DJ Nyla Symone.A significant segment of the evening program involves a parachute demonstration by the elite Golden Knights, followed by a fireworks show and evening concert. President Trump is also expected to attend a military enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony after the parade the scale of the event is considerable, other military branches like the Navy and Marine Corps — both also marking 250 years in 2025, have not announced comparable parades. A Navy spokesperson confirmed no similar celebration is planned for its October wishing to attend in person must RSVP in advance, providing their name, contact details, state and ZIP code. Due to limited availability, early registration is advised. The event is free of charge, as mentioned in a report by USA those unable to travel to the capital, the parade and other highlights from the Trump's military parade will be livestreamed across U.S. Army social media more information, including directions and a full schedule, visit the Army's official site at While officially a tribute to military history, the pageantry of June 14 has unmistakably taken on the tone of a personal celebration, placing Donald Trump's parade at the centre of public and media parade commemorates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. However, since it coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, it has also been widely regarded as an unofficial birthday celebration for the military parade is scheduled for Friday, June 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. It will proceed along Constitution Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., covering six blocks from 23rd Street NW to 15th Street NW.
