Missile Tests Deepen India-Pakistan Tensions After Kashmir Attack

Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions post-Kashmir attack, Pakistan launches second missile in two days, sparking global concern.

 Missile Tests Escalate Indo-Pak Tensions After Kashmir Terror Strike

In the aftermath of a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that has reignited long-standing animosities between India and Pakistan, the South Asian rivals are once again on high alert. This week, Pakistan conducted its second missile launch in just two days, a move perceived by India as a clear provocation, stirring fears of a dangerous escalation in a region already simmering with tension.

Pakistan Fires Second Missile Amid Rising Friction

Pakistan’s military confirmed on Monday that it had test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometers. According to an official statement carried by AFP, the launch was designed to validate the missile’s enhanced navigation and targeting capabilities, showcasing operational preparedness during a period of heightened alert.

The test came swiftly after a separate launch just two days earlier, when Pakistan successfully fired the Abdali Weapon System—a missile capable of striking targets 450 kilometers away. While Islamabad framed these back-to-back launches as routine drills, the timing, coming so close on the heels of the April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, has raised alarm bells in New Delhi and beyond.

India has directly linked the Kashmir attack to Pakistan-based groups, reigniting a familiar cycle of accusations and defensive posturing that has plagued bilateral ties for decades.

India Labels Missile Launches as “Provocative”

India has responded with firm rhetoric and visible military readiness. Officials familiar with New Delhi’s defense posture told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that Pakistan’s actions were viewed as deliberate provocations aimed at destabilizing the region.

To reinforce its own deterrence, India has stepped up its defense demonstrations. In April, the Indian Navy’s newly inducted warship INS Surat successfully intercepted a fast-moving target using the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has reinstated its Advanced Light Helicopter fleet after a temporary suspension for safety reviews—an indication of the military’s state of readiness.

The flurry of military activity along the Line of Control (LoC) — the de facto border in Kashmir — suggests that both nations are operating with heightened vigilance, if not outright confrontation.

Global Powers Call for Restraint

The recent escalation has not gone unnoticed internationally. The United States and European Union have jointly urged both nuclear-armed neighbors to step back from the brink. In separate statements, they condemned the Kashmir terrorist attack while calling for calm and dialogue to prevent further military escalation.

Defense analysts caution that while neither India nor Pakistan is likely to deploy nuclear weapons absent an existential threat, the risk of miscalculation in a high-pressure environment remains alarmingly real. Even a limited military exchange, experts warn, could spiral quickly beyond control.

“This is not 1999 anymore,” said a retired Indian Army brigadier. “Both countries now have advanced delivery systems, faster mobilization capabilities, and a far more interconnected world watching closely.”

A Long History of Conflict and Fragile Peace

India and Pakistan’s bitter rivalry dates back to their partition in 1947. The two countries have fought three wars—in 1948, 1965, and 1971—most of them centered around Kashmir, a region claimed in full but controlled in parts by both nations.

In the 1990s, the stakes grew higher when both declared themselves nuclear powers. Since then, even small-scale skirmishes risk igniting a wider conflagration, especially in the emotionally and politically charged landscape of Kashmir.

The latest flare-up marks a worrying trend: military modernization on both sides has enhanced striking capabilities while also shortening the time for diplomacy to intervene.

What Comes Next?

As missiles fly and militaries mobilize, diplomatic channels have fallen conspicuously silent. Analysts suggest that backdoor diplomacy may be the best hope to prevent an open conflict, but so far, there’s little public indication of progress.

For ordinary citizens in both nations, the uncertainty brings renewed anxiety. “We’re caught in a cycle of blame and bombs,” said a university professor in New Delhi. “It’s time leaders remember that peace, not pride, must guide national security.”

Conclusion

The recent missile launches by Pakistan, set against the backdrop of a deadly terror attack and India’s show of military might, signal a tense chapter in Indo-Pak relations. While open conflict remains avoidable, the margin for error is perilously thin. The world watches closely as two nuclear neighbors edge toward a potential flashpoint, underscoring the urgent need for responsible leadership, mutual restraint, and renewed dialogue.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available reports and expert commentary. It aims to present balanced information on sensitive geopolitical developments and does not endorse any party or position in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.

source : The Economic Times