By New Delhi Post Desk

New Delhi: On May 3, 2025, Pakistan announced the successful test-firing of its Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a 450 km range, amid escalating tensions with India following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The launch, part of Exercise INDUS, has been widely interpreted as a strategic signal during a period of heightened conflict.

Details of the Missile Test
The Pakistan Army stated that the launch aimed to assess operational readiness and validate technical features, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability. Conducted at an undisclosed location, the test was overseen by the Commander of the Army Strategic Forces Command, alongside senior officials from the Strategic Plans Division, Army Strategic Forces Command, and scientists from Pakistan’s strategic institutions. The missile, developed by Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), is designed for battlefield use, capable of targeting military bases and infrastructure with a reported accuracy of 150 meters Circular Error Probable (CEP).

Pakistan’s Leadership Response
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and armed services chiefs congratulated the personnel involved, expressing confidence in Pakistan’s Strategic Forces to maintain credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security. However, the timing of the test, following weeks of unmaterialized missile test warnings, has raised questions about whether this is a genuine demonstration of capability or a calculated act of sabre-rattling to deflect international pressure over the Pahalgam attack.

India’s Reaction and Regional Context
Indian authorities have labeled the test a “reckless act of provocation” and a “dangerous escalation,” especially given the volatile situation after the Pahalgam attack, which India attributes to cross-border terrorism. The test follows India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and Prime Minister Narendra Modi granting the military operational freedom to respond. Pakistan’s military posturing, including naval exercises in the Arabian Sea and increased border activity, suggests a broader strategy to project strength amid fears of Indian retaliation.

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By New Delhi Post Desk

New Delhi: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a provocative warning, stating that any Indian structure built to divert water from the Indus River system would be destroyed, labeling such actions as “aggression against Pakistan.” This comes after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty on April 22, 2025, hours after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 civilians, blaming Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism.

Asif’s Aggressive Rhetoric
In an interview, Asif reiterated that diverting Pakistan’s share of Indus waters, which supports 80% of its agricultural land, would be seen as a “face of aggression.” He stated, “Even if they (India) made an architectural attempt of this kind, then Pakistan will destroy that structure.” His remarks follow similar threats from Pakistani leaders, including PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who warned, “Either our water or their blood will flow,” and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who called any water diversion an “act of war.”

India’s Treaty Suspension and Limitations
India’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which allocates the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers primarily to Pakistan, was a retaliatory measure after the Pahalgam attack. The suspension allows India to explore options for using these waters, but experts note that India lacks the infrastructure to significantly divert or store water from these rivers. Existing dams, like Baglihar and Salal, are not designed for large-scale diversion, limiting immediate impacts on Pakistan’s water supply.

BJP Dismisses Threats as Hollow
Responding to Asif’s remarks, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain dismissed them as “hollow threats,” suggesting they reflect fear in Pakistan. “Khawaja Asif is visibly shaken… The fear among Pakistanis is evident. They are losing sleep at night,” Hussain said. India’s Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil further escalated the rhetoric, stating that India would ensure “not even a drop of water” reaches Pakistan, though technical constraints currently limit such actions.

Pakistan’s Legal and Military Posturing
Pakistan is preparing to challenge India’s treaty suspension through international forums, with Minister of State for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik indicating that legal consultations are nearly complete. Asif’s threats of military action against Indian infrastructure align with Pakistan’s broader narrative, with its top generals blaming the Pahalgam attack on India’s “governance failures” and vowing readiness to counter any threats.

Regional and International Implications
The treaty suspension has heightened fears in Pakistan, particularly among farmers reliant on the Indus for irrigation. While satellite imagery shows no immediate disruption to river flows as of April 30, 2025, the long-term threat of India developing diversion infrastructure looms large. The U.S. has urged de-escalation, with Vice President JD Vance calling on Pakistan to cooperate in countering terrorism, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed support for India.

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By New Delhi Post Desk

New Delhi: The aftermath of the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 tourists’ lives, has triggered an unprecedented response from Indian security forces. Over 100 suspected terrorism supporters have been detained in a sweeping crackdown across Kashmir, while diplomatic and military tensions with Pakistan spiral, raising fears of escalation.

Massive Detentions Under Public Safety Act
In a coordinated operation, Jammu and Kashmir security forces have detained over 100 individuals under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). The crackdown targets terror sympathizers and Over Ground Workers (OGWs) across the Kashmir region. Specific figures include 15 detentions in Kupwara, 12 in Handwara, and 14 in Pulwama. Authorities aim to dismantle local networks supporting terror groups, with intelligence sources describing the operation as a preventive measure to avert future attacks.

Shift in Strategy Post-Article 370
This operation marks the largest use of the PSA since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The shift in security strategy emphasizes dismantling terror support systems, reflecting a zero-tolerance approach. Union Home Minister Amit Shah vowed, “We will hunt down each and every perpetrator,” signaling New Delhi’s resolve to act decisively against those behind the Pahalgam attack.

Escalating Tensions with Pakistan
India’s response extends beyond its borders, with the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and a ban on Pakistani aircraft in its airspace. Pakistan retaliated with similar restrictions, and both nations have resumed cross-border shelling, violating the 2021 ceasefire. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the Indian military full operational freedom to respond, fueling fears of a broader conflict.

Pakistan’s Security Measures for Hafiz Saeed
Fearing an Indian strike, Pakistan has heightened security for Hafiz Saeed, the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder. His Lahore residence is now a “temporary sub-jail” under surveillance by Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG), with advanced CCTV systems in place. This move underscores Islamabad’s anxiety over potential Indian covert operations.

Panic Grips Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir
In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), authorities have shut down over 1,000 madrassas and converted schools into emergency training centers. Children as young as 11 are being trained in first aid and evacuation drills. Families near the Line of Control (LoC) are reinforcing bunkers, while PoK’s government has allocated one billion Pakistani rupees for food and medical supplies.

Tourism Collapses Amid War Fears
The scenic Neelum Valley in PoK has turned into a ghost town, with tourists fleeing and businesses shuttering. While India has closed some tourist zones, Pakistan has not issued formal advisories, but fear has emptied hotels and markets. Local hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain noted, “Most tourists have left because there is a risk of war.”

US Calls for Calm, Backs India
The United States is urging de-escalation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth engaging both nations. However, Vice President JD Vance emphasized Pakistan’s need to cooperate in hunting down terrorists. Hegseth’s public support for India, stating, “We stand with India and its great people,” underscores Washington’s tilt toward New Delhi.

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