• Pakistan tested the Abdali missile amid heightened tensions with India.
• The missile tests follow a deadly attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people.
• India has accused Pakistan of involvement, leading to retaliatory measures.

Amid escalating tensions with India following a recent attack in Kashmir that resulted in 26 fatalities, Pakistan's military has conducted successful missile tests. On Saturday, Pakistan tested the Abdali missile, a surface-to-surface weapon with a range of 450 kilometers, which was declared a demonstration of operational readiness and a validation of critical technical parameters, including navigation and maneuverability features, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

On Monday, Pakistan conducted a second missile test, this time of a different surface-to-surface missile capable of reaching 120 kilometers in range. This test was part of a military drill intended to assert Pakistan’s defense capabilities amidst ongoing conflict with India, particularly as New Delhi has alleged Islamabad’s support for the deadly Kashmir attack, reports The Jakarta Post and Channel News Asia.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence in the military’s readiness for national defense, asserting that the tests underscore the country's defensive capabilities. He stated, “The successful training launch clearly shows that Pakistan’s defence is in strong hands,” according to India Times and Le Monde.

The recent missile launches by Pakistan have been seen as a direct signal to India, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that military operations were now under “full operational freedom” following the Kashmir incident. This has led to heightened fears of aggressive military action between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, as Islamabad has warned of a robust response to any perceived aggression, according to TRT Global and Dawn.

The geopolitical landscape remains tense as both countries have engaged in a series of retaliatory measures. Following the Kashmir attack, India has suspended trade with Pakistan, closed borders, and expelled diplomats, further militarizing an already fraught situation. As tensions continue, international calls for de-escalation have intensified, according to South China Morning Post and The Jakarta Post.