Pakistan test-fires short-range missile with nuclear capabilities

Pakistan test-fires short-range missile with nuclear capabilities

2012-03-06 01:06:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (BNO NEWS) -- The Pakistani military on Monday said it has successfully test fired a short-range ballistic missile which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It follows the test of another short-range missile in October 2011.

In a brief statement, a military spokesperson said the short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the Hatf II (Abdali), has a range of approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) and is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy.

"It provides an operational level capability to Pakistan's Strategic Forces, additional to the strategic and tactical level capability, which Pakistan already possesses," the spokesperson said in a statement. It said the test was witnessed by senior military officials as well as scientists and engineers of strategic organizations.

Following the test, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani congratulated the scientists and technicians who worked on the missile.

In October 2011, the Pakistani military said it successfully test-fired the Hatf - VII (Babur) missile which has a range of 700 kilometers (434 miles). "Babur Cruise Missile is a low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, pin point accuracy and radar avoidance features," a military spokesperson said at the time. "It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities."

Since independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, Pakistan and its neighbor India have fought four wars, including one undeclared war, as well as numerous border skirmishes and military stand-offs. The two countries were on the brink of nuclear conflict in 2002 over the disputed territory of Kashmir, but a ceasefire was agreed to in 2003 although violations still occur.

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