Pakistan missile misfires became routine

New Delhi: A major disaster was averted on Saturday when a missile fired by Pakistan Army missed its intended target and landed near a Gurudwara in a civilian-populated area of Jammu and Kashmir.

No one was injured in the blast that shattered window panes and caused panic among the Sikh community. Officials said the missile could have caused mass casualties had it struck during prayer hours.

"This isn't an isolated case. Pakistan's missile system has a long record of poor targeting and guidance failure," said an official.


Earlier on Saturday, a Pakistani missile was intercepted over Haryana's Sirsa. "Fateh-1 missile has proven to be a complete disaster. It has failed multiple times-crashing, veering off course, or simply failing to launch," the official said.

The missile's failure highlights the sham of Pakistan's so-called indigenous capability, as per officials.

Pakistan targeted 26 locations in India on Friday, using Chinese SH-15 artillery, Turkish drones and Fatah-2 missiles, along with F-16 and JF-17 aircraft, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force on Saturday said it has "completely destroyed" a terrorist launchpad opposite Akhnoor in Jammu in response to unprovoked firing from the other side of the international border.

The base was located at Looni in Pakistan's Sialkot district, a BSF spokesperson said. This came after Pakistan initiated "unprovoked" firing on BSF posts in Jammu sector from 9 pm on Friday. The BSF responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of Pakistan Rangers, the spokesperson said.