India – Pakistan tensions may be ballistic as Islamabad prepares to test shooting surface-to-surface ballistic missiles
“In such turbulent conditions, the planned missile test is a blatant provocation and desperately trying to overcome tensions with India,” another official, who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
Gunshots, missiles and political rhetoric
Indian officials say the proposed missile test is just the latest in a series of radical exercises in Pakistan. In the past ten days, Pakistan has issued four Notams (notify the pilot) and issued missile testing intentions. So far, none of these notifications have resulted in actual release.
The first Notam appeared on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam attack. It issued less than 24 hours notice, but did not launch a missile. A similar notice followed from April 26 to May 2, from April 30 to May 2, with a shockingly close to India's exclusive economic zone. Once again, no missiles were launched.
Despite the lack of follow-up, officials in New Delhi believe the ongoing warnings are intended to intimidate. “This is not normal. This is calculated psychological coercion,” said a senior defense source in India.
Ceasefire under fire, literally
Pakistani forces have violated the February 2021 ceasefire agreement, about 15 times since January. But it was after April 22 that the shelling intensified. On Wednesday alone, Pakistani forces targeted Indian troops along the line of control and international borders. This is an early incident locally and resolved through communication channels, the latest attacks occur in multiple departments and are increasing in frequency.
The Indian military was ordered to respond firmly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday decided on the “complete freedom of combat” of the armed forces to decide how, when and when to respond. He also vowed to “a blow to terrorism.”
Diplomatic consequences deepen
India has taken a series of measures since the Pahalgam attack. These include a suspension of Pakistan's national visas, ordering a reduction in staff of the Pakistan High Commission, closing the Atari land border and suspending the Indian Waters Treaty.
Pakistan has already postponed. It has closed its space to Air India, stopped trade through third countries, including third countries, and requested an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident.
“We will not take any escalation, but will respond strongly to any such action taken by India,” Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar said in a press conference on Wednesday.
In addition to the missile threat, Pakistan has also strengthened military exercises in the Arabian Sea. Officials say the combined effect of these moves — a ceasefire violation, naval exercises and now potential ballistic missile testing — is part of a broader campaign to challenge India’s restraint.
New Delhi takes these signals seriously. For many in Indian defense agencies, missile testing represents not only a symbolic threat, but also a potential action of an otherwise volatile theater.
In the context, Pahalgam's memory is still fresh, because this confrontation may not cool down anytime soon.
(Input with ANI)
