Pakistan Test-Fires 'Fatah' Missile Amid Soaring Tensions With India

Tension between India and Pakistan are peaking new heights every single day. The two nuclear-armed nations are leaving no stones unturned to flex their military muscle.

Islamabad, on Monday, announced the successful test-firing of the Fatah surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of 120 kilometres.

The test was conducted during ongoing military drills under 'Exercise Indus', and comes at a time of increasing tensions with India following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

An offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the incident, which left 26 people dead, most of them tourists.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the missile trial was aimed at verifying operational preparedness and assessing key technical features such as its enhanced navigation system and improved targeting accuracy.

This launch closely follows another test carried out on Saturday, in which Pakistan said it had successfully conducted a training launch of the Abdali Weapon System - another surface-to-surface ballistic missile, but with a range of 450 kilometres.

These missile tests are being seen as part of broader military posturing amid worsening relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. India has reacted strongly to the Pahalgam attack, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and revoking visas issued to Pakistani nationals.

Simultaneously, Pakistan has engaged in unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) for 11 consecutive nights, prompting retaliatory measures from India.

India Flexes Military Might

Tensions have further escalated following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive giving the military "full operational freedom" to respond to the Pahalgam attack.

India has visibly showcased its military strength. In the past week, the Indian Air Force conducted a large-scale military exercise dubbed 'Aakraman', featuring its premier fighter jets, including Rafales, and top pilots.

Additionally, the Indian Navy demonstrated its state of readiness in joint operations.

On Friday, the Indian Air Force carried out a rare and strategically significant "land and go" operation, where fighter jets landed on a section of the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh - underlining India's growing ability to operate in unconventional scenarios.