Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday declared that the country’s defence is in “strong hands” following a second missile test conducted by its military amid escalating tensions with India.
Sharif made the remarks after the successful launch of a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 kilometres, part of the military’s ongoing Exercise INDUS. According to the Pakistan Army, the launch was meant to ensure operational readiness and verify the missile’s advanced navigation system and precision targeting.
“This successful training launch clearly shows that Pakistan’s defence is in strong hands,” said Sharif in a statement cited by AFP. He also expressed satisfaction over the army’s combat readiness and commitment to national defence.
This is Pakistan’s second missile test in 48 hours, following Saturday’s launch of the Abdali ballistic missile system, which has a 450-km range.
The show of military strength follows India’s drastic measures after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, including cutting water flows from key dams and banning all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan.
