ISLAMABAD (AP) 鈥� Pakistan test fired a ballistic missile Saturday as tensions with India spiked over last month's in the .
The surface-to-surface missile has a range of 450 kilometers (about 280 miles), the Pakistani military said. There was no immediate comment about the launch from India, which blames Pakistan for the April 22 gun massacre in the resort town of Pahalgam, a charge Pakistan denies.
Pakistan's military said the launch of the Abdali Weapon System was aimed at ensuring the 鈥渙perational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters,鈥� including the missile鈥檚 advanced navigation system and enhanced maneuverability features.
Pakistan鈥檚 President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated those behind the successful test. toward the border area with India; they are normally fired into the Arabian Sea or the deserts of southwest Balochistan province.
Islamabad-based security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said Saturday's missile was named after a prominent Muslim conqueror of India, underlining its symbolic significance.
鈥淭he timing of this launch is critical in the current geopolitical context,鈥� Ali told The Associated Press. He said the test was intended as a strategic signal to India after it had threatened to suspend a crucial water-sharing treaty.
India's navy said on April 27 that its vessels had successfully undertaken anti-ship firings to 鈥渞evalidate and demonstrate readiness of platforms, systems and crew for long-range precision offensive strike.鈥�
Ashok Malik, a former policy adviser in India's Foreign Ministry, said there was anger across the country following the gun attack.
鈥淚nternationally, there is enormous sympathy for India and little patience with Pakistan," said Malik. "I don鈥檛 believe anybody in India wants a full-fledged war. Even so, there is domestic pressure and diplomatic space for a sharp, targeted, and limited response.鈥�
The ongoing 鈥渕uscle flexing鈥� by both countries' troops was reflective of the tense mood and also apparent in the 鈥渦nremitting hostilities鈥� on the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing Kashmir, he said.
between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety.
They have fought two of their three wars over the stunning Himalayan region and their ties have been shaped by conflict, aggressive diplomacy and mostly due to their competing claims over Kashmir.
The latest flare-up led the , as well as the shuttering of airspace.
On Saturday, India suspended the exchange of all mail from Pakistan through air and surface routes and slapped an immediate ban on the direct and indirect import of all goods from its neighbor.
India has also banned Pakistani-flagged ships from entering its ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting Pakistani ports.
India's military said Saturday that Pakistani troops had fired at positions across the border for a ninth consecutive night. The statement called the firing unprovoked and said Indian troops 鈥渞esponded promptly and proportionately.鈥�
Pakistan did not confirm the exchange of fire at the Line of Control.
The incident could not be independently verified. In the past, each side has accused the other of starting border skirmishes.
Passions ran high among the Pakistanis who traveled to the Wagah crossing with India to see the famous flag-lowering ceremony.
The spectacle involves Pakistan鈥檚 Rangers and India鈥檚 border Security Force in a dramatic parade on either side of the crossing, with just a gate between them, their high kicks stretching skyward.
Shoaib-ur-Rehman said no other experience stirred such powerful feelings of patriotism in him and that he witnessed 鈥渆xtraordinary emotions鈥� during Saturday鈥檚 ceremony.
Rehman expressed his opposition to a war with India, but said he would fight alongside Pakistan鈥檚 military if one broke out.
Sundas Batool wanted India to provide evidence about Pakistan鈥檚 involvement in the Pahalgam attack.
鈥淭he other side must have seen our energy, our spirit,鈥� said Batool, referring to the crowds on the other side of the border. 鈥淢y message to India is: We are ready for anything.鈥�
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Associated Press writers Aijaz Hussain, Rajesh Roy, and Babar Dogar contributed to this report from Srinigar, India; New Delhi, and Wagah, Pakistan.
Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press
