ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military conducted a training launch of a surface-to-surface missile weapons system on Saturday, it said in a statement, upping tensions with arch-rival India. New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for backing an attack on tourists last month in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking a ramping up of rhetoric between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

According to France24.com, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir presided over a meeting of his top commanders on Friday concerning the “current Pakistan-India standoff,” as per a military statement. General Munir emphasized the critical importance of heightened vigilance and proactive readiness across all fronts.

Following the April 22 attack at the tourist site of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he has given his military “full operational freedom” to respond. He also vowed to pursue those who had supported the attack “to the ends of the Earth.” Pakistan has denied any involvement in the incident.

Pakistan warned this week of an imminent air strike from its neighbour and has repeatedly stated it will respond with force to any aggression by India. The international community has urged both New Delhi and Islamabad to settle their differences through dialogue, given their history of conflict over the disputed Kashmir region. The two countries have fought several wars since their separation in 1947.

Since the attack in Kashmir, India and Pakistan have exchanged diplomatic barbs and expulsions and have closed border crossings. The two nuclear-armed nations have also exchanged gunfire for nine consecutive nights along the militarised Line of Control, the de facto border, according to Indian defence sources.

Muslim-majority Kashmir, a region of around 15 million people, remains divided but is claimed in full by both Pakistan and India. The ongoing tensions continue to pose a significant threat to regional stability.