Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday (Oct 31) sidestepped questions on the nation's alleged testing of a hypersonic ballistic missile. The Pakistani minister avoided confirming or denying whether the country had recently tested the missile, and instead told reporters such questions should not be discussed publicly. "Now don't ask all these questions. Ask such things in private," Asif said during an interview on Samaa TV's talk show Mere Sawal. The host had asked him to comment on widespread speculation that Pakistan might have carried out a secret missile test earlier in the week.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-s-khawaja-asif-revives-anti-india-rant-claims-new-delhi-using-afghanistan-as-proxy-where-s-the-proof-1762049476737">Pakistan’s Khawaja Asif revives anti-India rant, claims New Delhi ‘using Afghanistan as proxy’. Where's the proof?</a><h2>Did Pakistan conduct a secret missile test?</h2>The speculation began after residents of Quetta and nearby areas in Balochistan spotted a strange "rare lenticular cloud formation" in the early hours of Tuesday (Oct 28). Many shared photos and videos online, describing it as an unusual sight that appeared just before sunrise. The cloud’s sharp, saucer-like shape led to theories ranging from a military test to an unidentified flying object.When asked about the matter earlier in the week, Asif had brushed off the rumours as mere speculation. Still, his reluctance to respond directly during the television interview has kept the debate alive.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/post-operation-sindoor-pakistan-grants-visas-to-over-2-000-indian-sikh-pilgrims-for-guru-nanak-birth-anniversary-1761978497305">Post Operation Sindoor, Pakistan grants visas to over 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims for Guru Nanak birth anniversary</a><h2>"Lenticular clouds" or missile?</h2>The Pakistan Meteorological Department later stepped in to clarify what people had seen. In a post on X, it said the formation was a "lenticular cloud" that appeared over the Koh-i-Murdar mountain range near Quetta. The cloud, the department said, lasted for about 20 minutes before fading away with the sunrise. "The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approximately 20 minutes, and dissipated just prior to sunrise," it said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rare Lenticular Cloud Formation Over Quetta A lenticular cloud formation was observed in the early morning of Oct 28, 2025, over Koh e Murdaar - eastern range of Quetta city. The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approx. 20 minutes, and dissipated just prior to sunrise <a href="https://t.co/ovtvjXM3oy">pic.twitter.com/ovtvjXM3oy</a>&mdash; Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/pmdgov/status/1983129182491058240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lenticular clouds are a rare weather phenomenon often mistaken for UFOs because of their smooth, lens-like shape. According to the UK’s Met Office, they form when stable air flows over hills or mountains and creates standing waves in the atmosphere. Moisture condenses at the crest of these waves, forming layered, saucer-shaped clouds that look strikingly artificial. "These strange, unnatural-looking clouds sometimes form downwind of hills or mountains … They look a lot like the traditional shape of flying saucers in science fiction," the Met Office notes, adding that such formations have often been mistaken for unidentified flying objects.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dodged questions about reports of a secret hypersonic missile test, telling a TV host to “ask such things in private.” The rumours began after residents in Quetta spotted a saucer-shaped “cloud". Here's what we know.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday (Oct 31) sidestepped questions on the nation's alleged testing of a hypersonic ballistic missile. The Pakistani minister avoided confirming or denying whether the country had recently tested the missile, and instead told reporters such questions should not be discussed publicly. "Now don't ask all these questions. Ask such things in private," Asif said during an interview on Samaa TV's talk show Mere Sawal. The host had asked him to comment on widespread speculation that Pakistan might have carried out a secret missile test earlier in the week. Also read | Pakistan’s Khawaja Asif revives anti-India rant, claims New Delhi ‘using Afghanistan as proxy’. Where's the proof? Did Pakistan conduct a secret missile test? The speculation began after residents of Quetta and nearby areas in Balochistan spotted a strange "rare lenticular cloud formation" in the early hours of Tuesday (Oct 28). Many shared photos and videos online, describing it as an unusual sight that appeared just before sunrise. The cloud’s sharp, saucer-like shape led to theories ranging from a military test to an unidentified flying object. When asked about the matter earlier in the week, Asif had brushed off the rumours as mere speculation. Still, his reluctance to respond directly during the television interview has kept the debate alive. Also read | Post Operation Sindoor, Pakistan grants visas to over 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims for Guru Nanak birth anniversary "Lenticular clouds" or missile? The Pakistan Meteorological Department later stepped in to clarify what people had seen. In a post on X, it said the formation was a "lenticular cloud" that appeared over the Koh-i-Murdar mountain range near Quetta. The cloud, the department said, lasted for about 20 minutes before fading away with the sunrise. "The cloud appeared before sunrise, persisted for approximately 20 minutes, and dissipated just prior to sunrise," it said.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dodged questions about reports of a secret hypersonic missile test, telling a TV host to “ask such things in private.” The rumours began after residents in Quetta spotted a saucer-shaped “cloud". Here's what we know.

Did Pakistan secretly test a hypersonic ballistic missile last week? Khwaja Asif says 'ask such things in private'

Indian intelligence agencies have indicated that Pakistan is planning to conduct a missile test near Karachi port as PM Modi and Chinese President Xi's meeting gets underway at Mamallapuram.

Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority has issued a Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) to divert flights on October 10 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and October 11 to 12 between 9:30am to 12:30pm.

According to the NOTAM, all international flights from Karachi airport have&nbsp;been diverted to different air routes on these particular slots.

Intelligence agencies say the test would be conducted in Pakistan's Sonmiani range, located northwest of the southern port city of Karachi.

In August, Pakistan authorities had issued a similar NOTAM during the test-fire of the Gaznavi missile which reportedly has a range of 290 km.

Indian intelligence agencies have indicated that Pakistan is planning to conduct a missile test near Karachi port as PM Modi and Chinese President Xi's meeting gets underway at Mamallapuram.

Indian intelligence agencies have indicated that Pakistan is planning to conduct a missile test near Karachi port as PM Modi and Chinese President Xi's meeting gets underway at Mamallapuram. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority has issued a Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) to divert flights on October 10 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and October 11 to 12 between 9:30am to 12:30pm. According to the NOTAM, all international flights from Karachi airport have been diverted to different air routes on these particular slots. Intelligence agencies say the test would be conducted in Pakistan's Sonmiani range, located northwest of the southern port city of Karachi. In August, Pakistan authorities had issued a similar NOTAM during the test-fire of the Gaznavi missile which reportedly has a range of 290 km.

As Xi-Modi meet at Mamallapuram, Pak planning missile test: Intelligence agencies

Pakistan's military successfully carried out a training launch of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile on Thursday (August 29), at a time of heightened tension with neighbouring India over the disputed region of Kashmir, a spokesman said.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan carries out training launch of ballistic missile

Pakistan Navy on Tuesday successfully test-fired an indigenous cruise missile in the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan navy successfully test-fires indigenous cruise missile