Pakistan Test-Fires Second Missile Amid Rising Tension

Pakistan's military on Monday conducted the second test firing of a missile in three days as part of steps aimed at ensuring "operational readiness of troops", with New Delhi describing the earlier launch as an act of blatant provocation.

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI:

A Fatah series surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120km was tested by the Pakistani military as part of its ongoing Exercise Indus, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The Fatah missile has a shorter reach than the Abdali ballistic missile, with a range of 450km, that was tested on Saturday.

There was no immediate word from Indian officials on the missile test.

The test of the Fatah missile, which carries a conventional warhead, was aimed at "ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced accuracy", the ISPR statement said.