Shaheen-III Missile Fails Mid-Flight, Crashes in Balochistan’s Dera Bugti

A routine test of Pakistan’s nuclear-capable Shaheen-III medium-range ballistic missile ended in failure this week when the weapon reportedly malfunctioned shortly after launch and crashed in Dera Bugti, a remote and restive region in Balochistan province.

While there has been no official confirmation from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), multiple open-source intelligence (OSINT) accounts and eyewitness reports on social media confirmed that the missile deviated from its intended trajectory and crashed in a sparsely populated area of Dera Bugti.

The incident is believed to have occurred during a test launch conducted from a site near Dera Ghazi Khan, a common launch point for Pakistan’s missile programs. Local sources suggest that the missile exploded mid-air or shortly after launch and its debris fell in civilian-inhabited areas, although no official statement on casualties or damage has been made public.

Past Patterns of Failure

This is not the first time the Shaheen-III missile has met an unfortunate fate during testing. In January 2021, a similar incident occurred when a test-fired Shaheen-III missile reportedly went off-course and crashed into the Matt region of Dera Bugti. The incident caused damage to civilian homes and reportedly injured five people, including women and children. At the time, the Pakistani military denied any civilian impact and labeled the test a "technical success."

Experts say repeated failures point to ongoing technical and operational challenges within Pakistan’s missile program, despite publicized claims of advancements. While the military continues to describe these trials as necessary routine checks, the lack of transparency has only fueled concerns.

About Shaheen-III

The Shaheen-III is a solid-fueled, surface-to-surface missile with an operational range of approximately 2,750 kilometers, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. It is considered a key component of Pakistan’s second-strike capability and was designed to target all of mainland India, including its easternmost territories.

Its development has been touted as a counterbalance to India’s Agni missile series, and the missile has been in testing and validation stages since at least 2015. The Shaheen-III was last officially test-fired successfully in January 2021, according to ISPR.

Strategic & Civilian Fallout

Baloch political groups and human rights organizations have condemned the continued use of Balochistan as a testing ground for strategic weapons. They argue that the region’s civilian population is being put at risk without consent, transparency, or adequate safety measures. The lack of accountability, especially following crashes like the recent one, has fueled resentment and accusations of state negligence.

Independent analysts have also raised concerns about the reliability of Pakistan’s missile arsenal, warning that repeated test failures not only undermine deterrence credibility but also pose serious risks to local populations living near launch and impact zones.

No Comment from Officials

At the time of publishing, there has been no official press release from Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence or the ISPR regarding the crash. Given past precedents, experts expect the incident to either be quietly buried or spun as a “technical success” for internal assessments.

While the exact details remain murky, what’s becoming increasingly clear is the cost of testing high-stakes weaponry in densely inhabited or politically sensitive areas. For many in Balochistan, the real threat doesn’t come from across the border — but from the sky above, fired by their own state.

And if these test patterns continue, One day Pakistan’s own missiles might do the ultimate job—destroying their own country… talk about self‑inflicted strategic deterrence! 😂😂