Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable missile

Tue, 21 Dec 2010

Islamabad - Pakistan on Tuesday successfully tested a medium-range ballistic missile that can deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons, the military said.

The launch of the Hatf V was conducted at the culmination of a field training exercise that was aimed at testing the operational readiness of troops.

The missile is also called Ghauri after a 12th-century Muslim invader from what is now Afghanistan who paved the way for the occupation of India and its subsequent Muslim rule.

"The Ghauri ballistic missile is a liquid-fuel missile which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads over a distance of 1,300 kilometers," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.

Pakistan's arsenal of missiles are aimed at India, which also has missile systems capable of hitting major Pakistani cities.

India tested its nuclear-capable Agni-I short-range ballistic missile last month, which is named after the Hindu god of fire. It can carry payloads of 1 ton up to 700 kilometers.

The two countries have fought three wars, two over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, since they gained independence from Britain in August 1947.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who witnessed the launch with senior military officers, said Pakistan's missile capability would be enhanced because it formed the bedrock of national security policy.

"Pakistan can be justifiably proud of its defense capability and the reliability of its nuclear deterrence," Gilani said.

Pakistan has been developing its missile systems and tested the short-range Hatf III and medium-range Hatf IV ballistic missiles in May.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/359119,pakistan-test-fires-nuclear-capable-missile.html.