NEWS

Pakistan test-fires another missile

By K J M Varma in Islamabad
October 08, 2003

In the second such test in five days, Pakistan on Wednesday 'successfully' test-fired an 'indegenously' built surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The test-firing of Hatf-IV, also known as Shaheen I, was conducted at 0843 IST, an official announcement said.

"The test is part of an ongoing series of tests of Pakistan's indigenous missile systems," a military statement said, adding that all technical parameters required to be tested were successfully validated.

Pakistan had test-fired short-range Hatf II 'Gaznavi' on Friday last.

Pakistan Defence spokesman Maj Gen Shoukat Sultan said the missile test was a routine one.

The medium-range missile is capable of reaching all Indian cities.

Besides Ghaznavi and Shaheen-1, Pakistan claims to have Shaheen-II with a range of 2500 km, Ghauri-1 with a range of 1500 km and Ghauri-II with 2300 km range.

In all, Pakistan is reported to have about 50 long and short-range nuclear capable missiles.

 

K J M Varma in Islamabad

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