Context
Diplomatic re-engagement between India and Pakistan may have started afresh but the two sides are keeping their military options open. India’s 1.13-million strong army is reportedly honing its military hardware with a massive military exercise “Vijayee Bhava” [be victorious] in the desert area of Thar to prepare for “high tempo” military operations to intersect the border. Pakistan, in response, test-fired its latest nuclear-capable missile Hataf-IX on Tuesday. Given the fact that Hataf-IX has a range of 60 kilometers only, it is obviously intended to be used as a “battlefield nuclear weapon” for deterring Indian forces from launching attacks on its territory.
