Pakistan on Thursday tested a nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile in a bid to further its efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue and raise the chatter of waging a nuclear war against India.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been hinting at a nuclear confrontation ever since India abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. India, however, has consistently maintained this was an internal issue.
To this end, Pakistan military's media spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor on Thursday shared a video of the "night-training launch" of the short range ballistic missile on Twitter. He tweeted: "Pakistan carried out night training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi, capable of delivering multiple types of warheads upto 290 KMs."
The Ghaznavi missile is capable of delivering multiple types of warheads up to 290 kms, that could cover parts of India.
According to experts, the Ghaznavi missile could be an improved 'Scud' type ballistic missile. The missile's warhead can be conventional, high explosive (HE) and nuclear.
Pakistan had informed India about the test in Sindh, on August 26, in keeping with the provisions of the Confidence Building Measures announced by the two countries in 2005. The measures mandate three-day prior notice on missile tests.
Three routes of Karachi airspace had already been closed -- from August 28 to 31 -- in view of the testing.
The Sonmiani Flight Test Range was also activated with an upper ceiling of 26,000 feet with impact in sea, according to a NOTAM (notice to airmen, alerting pilots on routes) and naval warning issued by Pakistan.
Maj Gen. Ghafoor said that the Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and the three services chiefs congratulated the team of experts for successfully testing the missile.
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan also conveyed their appreciation to the team, and congratulated the nation on the feat, he said.
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