Mystery lights over Quetta spark speculation of missile test

Social media on Tuesday was abuzz with pictures of Quetta’s night sky filled with deep blue at the top, fading into warm orange and yellow hues near the horizon, a breathtaking scene typical of twilight.

On October 28, 2025, residents in Harnai, Balochistan, reported spiraling sky trails and bright plumes around 5:30 am, with many capturing the phenomenon on their phones and sharing it across platforms.

Many social media users on X claimed the trails were linked to a possible Pakistani military missile test, with some suggesting “hypersonic technology” may have been involved. Streaks were reportedly visible from Quetta to central Punjab, with users pointing to patterns resembling ballistic missile stage separation.

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However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has not issued any official confirmation or statement regarding a missile test, even as speculation and excitement continued to swirl online.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) later posted on X that a lenticular cloud formation had been observed in the early hours of October 28.

“A lenticular cloud formation was observed in the early morning of Oct 28, 2025, over Koh-e-Murdaar — eastern range of Quetta city,” the Met Department said, suggesting the phenomenon was likely meteorological rather than military in nature.

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Meteorologists explained that lenticular clouds, often mistaken for UFOs or rocket trails, form when moist air flows over mountains, creating smooth, lens-shaped clouds that can reflect vivid colours during sunrise or sunset.

While the PMD’s clarification eased some of the online speculation, the spectacle left Pakistani people in awe, with many describing it as one of the most striking twilight displays seen in years.