Pakistan successfully test-fires nuclear-capable missile

Islamabad, Mar 11 (PTI) Pakistan on Friday
successfully test-fired the short-range surface-to-surface
nuclear-capable Hatf-II or Abdali missile, the military said.
The test of the missile, which has a range of 180 km,
was carried out as part of a process of validating and
improving its land-based ballistic missile systems, an
official statement said.
The missile can carry nuclear and conventional
warheads with "high accuracy", it said.
"The missile test was conducted as part of the process
of validation and technical improvements in the land-based
ballistic missile systems of the country," said the statement
from the Inter-Services Public Relations.
The test, conducted at an undisclosed location, was
witnessed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen
Shamim Hyder Wynne, Strategic Plans Division chief Lt Gen
(retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Army Strategic Force Commander
Lt Gen Jamil Haider, senior officers from the armed forces and
scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.
Speaking on the occasion, Wynne said the test "will go
a long way in consolidating Pakistan's strategic deterrence
capability and further strengthening national security".
In the hierarchy of military operations, the Abdali
missile system provides Pakistan an "operational level
capability" that is in addition to the strategic capability
the country already possesses through its medium-range and
long-range ballistic missiles, he said.
"Pakistan's resolve and commitment to continue its
strategic progress will remain paramount," Wynne said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani felicitated defence scientists and engineers on
the success of the test.