Pakistan test fires short-range nuclear-capable missile

Apr 19, 2011, 7:40 GMT

Islamabad - Pakistan Tuesday tested a short-range ballistic missile capable of delivering conventional and atomic warheads, the military said.

The launch of Hatf IX, also called Nasr, was conducted by the military's strategic missile group from an undisclosed location.

'Nasr surface-to-surface ballistic missile can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons over a distance of 60 kilometres with high accuracy,' an army spokesman said.

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Premier Yousuf Raza Gillani congratulated the scientists and engineers on their 'outstanding success.'

The country's arsenal of missiles is aimed at its neighbour India, which also has missile systems capable of hitting major Pakistani cities.

Pakistan successfully tested the nuclear-capable cruise missile Hatf-VII Babur, with a range of 600 kilometres, in February.

In December, India tested nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missiles with a range of 350 kilometres.

The two South Asian nuclear nations are bitter enemies and have fought three wars, two over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, since they gained independence from Britain in 1947.

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