ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully test-fired the surface-to-surface Abdali ballistic missile on May 3, 2025. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the training launch was carried out to test the operational readiness of the Army and the technical aspects of the missile. The missile is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 450 km and is equipped with a modern navigation system.
According to the ISPR, the test was part of the “Ex-Indus” exercise, which was attended by the commander of the Army Strategic Forces Command, senior officers of the Strategic Plans Division, and scientists and engineers of Pakistan’s strategic institutions. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and the three armed forces chiefs congratulated the scientists, engineers, and military personnel on the successful test. He expressed full confidence in the operational preparedness and technical expertise of Pakistan’s strategic forces.
This experiment was conducted at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan were running high. On April 22, 26 people were killed in an attack in the Pahalgam area of occupied Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan, but Pakistan rejected the accusation and demanded an impartial investigation. Following the incident, diplomatic relations between the two countries have seen tensions, border clashes, and trade restrictions.
According to Pakistani defense analysts, the test of the Abdali missile is a clear message to India that Pakistan is fully prepared in its defense capabilities. The missile, which is capable of hitting targets up to 450 km, is a significant addition to Pakistan’s defense strategy.
