&w=3840&q=100)
Pakistan says tested ballistic missile under 'Operation INDUS' amid tension with India
In yet another provocative move, Pakistan on Saturday confirmed the testing of a ballistic missile and claimed that the launch was part of Exercise INDUS read more
Amid the brewing tensions between India and Pakistan following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, Islamabad has claimed that it has successfully tested a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which has the potential to hit targets that are at 450 km. Pakistan confirmed the testing of the missile on Saturday and claimed that the launch was part of Exercise INDUS.
Tensions between India and Pakistan reached their peak after terrorists with links to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group, infiltrated a tourist destination in Pahalgam, Kashmir and killed 26 people. The incident sent shockwaves across India, with New Delhi ramping up its security measures against Pakistan.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The recent launch marks a provocative act from Islamabad that also introduced several other moves, calling them a 'tit-for-tat' for India's action. '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 manoeuvrability features,' the Pakistani government said in a statement regarding the missile launch.
Pak PM boasts about military might
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other military chiefs boasted about their 'complete confidence in the operational readiness and technical proficiency of the forces to safeguard the country's national security,' the statement reads.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan has been regularly violating the Line of Control (LoC), the ceasefire, to provoke India. Besides this, in the past few weeks, several Pakistani leaders have made several provocative statements and indulged in warmongering.
Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tara had claimed India was planning an attack on the country within 36 hours. However, it has been over 72 hours since he made the claim. In the statement, the Pakistan government noted that it tested the Abdali Weapon System.
The test was conducted at the Sonmiani Ranges and was likely to be part of an operational user trial conducted under the Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC), which is responsible for handling Pakistan's nuclear-capable missiles. According to the ISPR statement on the matter, the launch was administered by the 'President, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Services Chiefs extended their congratulations to the participating troops, scientists, and engineers.'
'They expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan's Strategic Forces to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security against any aggression,' the statement concluded. India is yet to respond to the launch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Tensions in Manipur over arrest rumours of volunteers of Meitei outfit
Two journalists and a civilian were injured as tensions flared in Imphal city late on Saturday evening following unconfirmed reports of the arrest of five volunteers of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei group, including one of the group's commanders, people familiar with the matter said. An irate mob stormed the Kwakeithel Police Outpost in Imphal West, demanding the immediate release of the arrested individuals. In response, security forces fired several rounds to disperse the crowd. During the incident, at least three people, including two journalists, sustained injuries. According to unconfirmed reports, the arrests were made at around 2.30pm by a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba was also seen at the scene, attempting to speak with senior security personnel regarding the situation. In a purported video circulated on social media groups, Leishemba could be heard saying, 'We tried very hard to bring peace. If you do such things, how will peace come? Arrest me along with the MLA....' There was not official statement from the Manipur police till the time of going to press. ALSO READ | Union Home secretary discusses border fencing, law & order situation with Manipur Governor Separately, officials in New Delhi said that the Union home ministry representatives will hold a meeting with representatives of Kuki-Zo militant groups, who are signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the Centre. They are expected to meet in the national capital on Monday. This is the first general meeting since the pact was put in abeyance last year. While there was no confirmation from the MHA or the Manipur-based groups, a person aware of the details said all representatives from SoO will attend the meeting. 'All representatives from the SoO groups will be in Delhi. This is the first general meeting called by the MHA. We do not know if Manipur state administration officials will be present or not. It was a tripartite agreement between our groups, state government and Centre to suspend all operations from both sides,' this person said requesting anonymity. The tripartite SoO agreement was signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups in August 2008, and was renewed every year until February 28 last year when it was kept abeyance. The renewal process was halted after allegations against SoO group cadres indulging in the ethnic clashes in Manipur and training village defence volunteers — the groups have denied both charges. The person cited above said that over the last year, SoO groups have addressed some queries raised by the MHA. 'The ground rules for the pact were set to be revised so MHA has asked SoO groups many questions. All these were presented to the MHA. We expect something positive from the meeting,' the official added. The questions pertained to location of camps, the weapons that are in a double lock system and the need for having new camps. ALSO READ | Protest over 'Manipur' name removal on govt bus; Police fire tear gas, 8 injured While former chief minister N Biren Singh and his MLAs have demanded that the SoO agreement be cancelled, Kuki-Zo groups and their legislators have requested Centre to renew the pact. At the time of the signing of agreement in 2008, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF) agreed to cease any form of violence. The central and state governments also agreed that no force (army, paramilitary, or state police) would launch operations against the signatories as long as they abide by the terms of the agreement. However, the SoO was unilaterally suspended by the Biren Singh government on March 2023 — roughly two months before the ethnic clashes broke out — saying that some members of the groups were illegal migrants. The suspension, along with a Manipur high court order that directed the state to ensure Meiteis get the scheduled tribes status, are believed to be triggers for the violence that has roiled the state for over two years. A senior security official, who asked not to be named, said, 'Agencies have regularly given reports about the SoO groups. There have been cases of SoO militants being arrested in some cases of violence during the last two years. It is a critical issue. Whatever happens to the SoO pact will definitely have an impact in Manipur. They are influential and have a lot of clout among not just Kuki-Zo civilians but also their political leaders.' The earlier rules of the SoO pact directed cadres of the militant groups to stay in designated camps, with the routine administration of camps being handled by the groups. The rules also mandated that no more than 20% of cadres will be allowed to leave the camp at any given time. State government and joint monitoring group (JMG) members were to conduct inspections at the camp to check for violations. All weapons were to be held within the camp's armoury in a double locking system, with one key being with the group and other with the concerned security force.
Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
As Pakistan fails to get into ‘expected' UNSC panels, India in talks with friends
India is working with its partners and friends on the UN Security Council to blunt Pakistan's moves, as Islamabad has been appointed to key counter-terror committees at the UNSC. Sources in New York told The Indian Express that Pakistan demanded to be the chair of the 1267 Sanctions Committee; 1540 (Non-Proliferation) Sanctions Committee; 1988 (Taliban) Committee and Chair of the 1373 Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC). Sources said the allocation of positions 'should have been undertaken by January 2025'. It is learnt that a 'lack of consensus and unreasonable demands' by Pakistan prevented a consensus being formed till June 2025. 'The Council members were not happy with this … attitude depicted by the Pakistan,' a source said. Pakistan had to be satisfied with 'only one full Chairship' — Chair of the 1988 (Taliban) Sanctions Committee [Russia and Guyana are the Vice-Chairs], sources said . The other positions are Vice-Chair of the 1373 CTC [along with France and Russia]; Sanctions Informal Working Group (IWG) [Co-Chair with Greece] and Documentation IWG [Co-chair with Denmark.] 'The… positions allocated to Pakistan is far below its… aspirations,' the source said. India also chaired the same 1988 (Taliban) Sanctions Committee during its UNSC 2021-22 term along with the Chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee. Sources said the position of Vice-Chair of 1373 CTC which Pakistan was allocated is 'not something very substantive'. 'It is… more ceremonial in nature. Pakistan… has not been able to get its way. India was the Chair of the 1373 CTC in 2022. India had earlier also, during its 2011-12 UNSC term, chaired the 1373 CTC.' For the first time in the history of the UNSC, an IWG will have two co-Chairs. This can be interpreted as a move by the Council to rein in Pakistan. Despite the Pakistani delegation's visit to the UN, the result is not something Pakistan will be happy with. This reflects Pakistan's standing and credibility in the UN, sources said. Sources said all the major terrorist attacks and networks have their origins in Pakistan. Some examples are: Sources said Pakistan's role as a state sponsor of terrorism is well known. 'Out of around 254 individuals and 89 entities designated in the 1267 Sanctions Committee (Al-Qaeda and ISIL), Pakistan has the unrivalled distinction of over 50 individuals and entities linked to it designated in the 1267 Sanctions Committee… it is Pakistan which is at unease… that more of its nationals and entities will be added to the Sanctions Committees/Regimes.' The source said India will be working 'closely with friends' in the Council. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
White Knight Corps pays tribute to Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh for supreme sacrifice in line of duty during Op Sindoor
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Indian Army on Saturday paid tributes to Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor. After sustaining grievous injuries, he battled valiantly during treatment at Command Hospital and passed away on June 6. 'GOC and all ranks of WhiteKnightCorps pay heartfelt tribute to #Braveheart Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during OpSindoor. After sustaining grievous injuries, he battled valiantly during treatment at Command Hospital and passed away on 06 Jun 2025,' White Knight Corps said in a post on X. 'His unwavering courage, sense of duty, and sacrifice will forever remain etched in our hearts. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of profound grief,' the post added. The Indian Armed Forces' on May 7 launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor and dismantled nine major terror camps associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). Five of the nine terror camps were located in PoJK, and the other four in Pakistan. The strikes came in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Among the destroyed camps in Pakistan, Muridke and Bhawalpur stand out as they not only serve as residences for major commanders but also serve as epicentres for radicalisation and various training courses on intelligence and arms handling for Laskar as well as Jaish-e-Mohammad. Among the key terror operatives eliminated in the operation was Rauf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar, the Jaish Chief. Rauf Azhar, a proscribed terrorist, is wanted for his part in the conspiracy to hijack IC-814. (ANI)
