Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Pakistan on Wednesday successfully test-fired a new ballistic missile which is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a distance of 1,300 kilometres, bringing many Indian cities under its range.

The launch of intermediate-range Ghauri missile conducted by a Strategic Missile Group of the Army Strategic Forces Command was aimed at testing the operational and technical readiness of the command, the Inter Services Public Relations said.

Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat expressed complete satisfaction over the “excellent standard” achieved by strategic forces during the training, Dawn reported.

Lieutenant General Zubair also emphasised Pakistan can be justifiably proud of its defence capability as well as its nuclear deterrence.

The successful launch has been commended by President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  They also congratulated the scientists and engineers for their outstanding achievement.

On March 9, Pakistan had conducted another ballistic missile test Shaheen-III capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a distance of 2,750 kilometres.