Pakistan has successfully test-fired a new ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads on Wednesday, the country’s military said.
According to a statement by the Pakistani military, the new missile, called “Ghaznavi,” is the “culminating point” of military drills by Islamabad’s Strategic Forces Command.
The short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads up to about 180 miles.
The statement went on to commend the force’s “operational readiness,” as well as its “handling and operating of the weapon system.”
Relations between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India have deteriorated since New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and imposed a lockdown in August 2019.
Hence, Pakistan has been determined to develop its nuclear program to counter threats from India, with whom it has fought two wars over Kashmir.
