Pakistan's missile tests attempt to whip up tensions: Indian sources

India sees Pakistan's preparations to test fire surface-to-surface ballistic missiles amid mounting tensions as a "reckless act of provocation" and a "dangerous escalation" of the situation, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

The planned missile test by Pakistan, under such "volatile conditions" is nothing short of a "blatant provocation" and a "desperate attempt to whip up tensions" with India, they said.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been on the boil since the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 civilian lives.

India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike, citing "cross-border linkages" with the attack, more specifically those of The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the hardline Pakistan-backed Islamic militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Many global powers, including the US and the European Union, have called on both sides to de-escalate, while unequivocally condemning the terror strike.

"It has been learned that Pakistan is preparing to test-fire surface-to-surface ballistic missiles this week," said one of the people cited above. "This is a reckless act of provocation and a dangerous escalation in its hostile campaign against India."

The people said Pakistan has been frantically issuing naval warnings, ramping up naval drills in the Arabian Sea, and has indulged in continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir since the 22 April attack.

India has already asserted that the "perpetrators, backers and planners" of the terror attack must be brought to justice. At a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on Tuesday, 29 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response to the terror attack, according to government sources.

The prime minister affirmed that it is a national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, they said after the meeting.

India on 23 April announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari, and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack.

The measures have since been expanded to include closing of all Indian airspace to Pakistan-operated flights until 23 May, and banning of all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan. India reportedly also has plans to ask global multilateral agencies such as the International Monetary Fund to review loans and grants to Pakistan.

As part of its initial response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through other countries acting as third parties. Pakistan also rejected India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water would be seen as an "act of war".

With PTI inputs