Pakistan tests intermediate range ballistic missile
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan successfully test fired a nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missile on Wednesday, the military said, less than a week after India test launched a long range missile.
The exact range of the missile was not revealed, but retired General Talat Masood, a defense analyst, told AFP it would be able to hit targets up to 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers (1,550 to 1,850 miles) away – putting arch-rival India well within reach.
On Thursday India test fired its long range Agni V missile, which can deliver a one-ton nuclear warhead anywhere in China.
“Pakistan today successfully conducted the launch of the intermediate range ballistic missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A weapon system,” the military said in a statement.
India and Pakistan – which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 – have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.
