Pak Army Says Night Launch Of Ballistic Missile Ghaznavi "Successful"

Pakistan has successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile 'Ghaznavi' with a range of up to 290 kms, the Pakistani army said today, amid fresh Indo-Pak tensions after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday closed three aviation routes of Karachi airspace till August 31, leading to reports that the Pakistan Army may conduct a missile test from a flight test range in Balochistan.

The 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.

The Ghaznavi missile is capable of delivering multiple types of warheads up to 290 kms, that could cover parts of India.

Pakistan successfully carried out night training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi, capable of delivering multiple types of warheads upto 290 KMs. CJCSC & Services Chiefs congrat team. President & PM conveyed appreciation to team & congrats to the nation. pic.twitter.com/hmoUKRPWev

- DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 29, 2019

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.

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.

Pakistan's President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan also conveyed their appreciation to the team, and congratulated the nation on the feat, he said.

The nuclear-capable missile was launched amid Pakistan's efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue after India abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly raised the threat of a nuclear war in the region as a result of India's sovereign and constitutional decision on Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan expelled the Indian High Commissioner after it downgraded the diplomatic ties with India. Pakistan also suspended its trade with India and stopped the cross-border train and bus services.

India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter and also advised Pakistan to "accept the reality".

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan once again spoke of a nuclear war.

Earlier in May, Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of Shaheen-II, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

In January, Pakistan successfully launched the tactical ballistic missile Nasr as part of the Army Strategic Forces Command training exercise.