Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Missile As World Faces Nuclear Turmoil

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – Pakistan has test-fired a potentially nuclear Ababeel missile with a range of up to 2200 kilometers (1,367 miles) on the same day the United States conducted a nuclear test, several defense sources confirmed Monday.

The rocket, capable of carrying multiple nuclear and conventional warheads, was reportedly fired last Wednesday, October 19, as several nations step up nuclear testing amid rising tensions in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Pakistan last tested the multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles-capable weapon on January 24, 2017, according to defense experts.

Inter-Services Public Relations Pakistan, the Pakistan army’s media wing, said the test was to revalidate “various design, technical parameters, and performance evaluation of different sub-systems.”

It was also “aimed at strengthening deterrence and enhancing strategic stability in the region.”

The test sent a warning to nuclear-armed arch-rival India, which made technological leaps in its missile program over the last two decades, and other powers.

There are also concerns in Asia about North Korea’s firing nuclear-capable missiles, China’s military buildup around Taiwan, and its close ties with Russia.

US TESTING

Pakistan fired the missile the same day the United States conducted a high-explosive experiment at a nuclear test site in Nevada hours after Russia revoked a ban on atomic weapons testing.

The U.S. action came amid the worst East-West tensions since the Cold War following Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Wednesday’s test used chemicals and radioisotopes to “validate new predictive explosion models” to help detect atomic blasts in other countries, declared the U.S. Department of Energy.

“These experiments advance our efforts to develop new technology to support U.S. nuclear nonproliferation goals,” added Corey Hinderstein, Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

“They will help reduce global nuclear threats by improving the detection of underground nuclear explosive tests.”

Yet the tests in the United States and Pakistan added to anxiety among leaders in a turbulent world facing significant wars in Europe with nuclear-armed Russia fighting in Ukraine – and in the Middle East where Israel prepares for a ground offensive in Gaza.

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