Pakistan test-fires second missile as tensions persist after Pahalgam terror attack

Pakistan on Monday carried out a test-fired of its home-made surface-to-surface missile, Fatah, which can hit targets at a range of up to 120 kilometres, according to its military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistani news outlets reported.

The missile test was conducted as part of a military drill named Exercise INDUS or Ex INDUS.

"The flight test was aimed at validating the design and performance features of the weapon system," the ISPR said in a statement. It added that the missile is part of Pakistan’s tactical strike capability.

Senior army officials, along with scientists and engineers from Pakistan’s strategic organisations, were present to witness the launch.

This was Pakistan’s second missile launch in two days after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians died, which has heightened tensions in the region between the two nuclear powers. Earlier, on Saturday, the Pakistani military had also carried out a training launch of its surface-to-surface missile system, Abdali.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have increased following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24 said that the people behind the Pahalgam terror attack and those supporting them will be punished. In a meeting on April 29 with senior defence officials, Modi said that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to choose how, when, and where to respond to the attack, news agency PTI reported, quoting government sources.