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| Sunday, 30 May 2004 |
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Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable missile ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Reuters) Pakistan successfully test-fired on Saturday a ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, as part of its efforts to boost defences in its rivalry with India. "It can carry all types of warheads," Major-General Shaukat Sultan told Reuters, adding that it has a range of up to 1500 km (930 miles). The test of the Ghauri (Hatf V) missile came a week after a new government took office in India and pledged to continue a peace process with Pakistan but postponed talks aimed at easing nuclear tensions, saying it needed time to settle in. There was no immediate reaction from India but an Indian defence ministry official told Reuters the test had been expected. Pakistan says its weapons programme is a response to that of India, with which it has fought three wars since both countries won independence from Britain in 1947. Analysts say the test was meant to tell the Indian government that Pakistan would not lower its guard despite peace moves. "It's meant to meet technical requirements, ease domestic pressure on peace with India and also convey to the new Indian government that we are going to remain militarily strong," former military general Kamal Matinuddin said. "It's a combination of all." A Pakistan military statement said Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali also watched the test-firing, but did not say where the test was done. "The Ghauri missile....is second only to Hatf VI Shaheen II in terms of range," it said. Ghauri and Shaheen are different versions of a Pakistani missile series named Hatf in reference to an ancient Islamic weapon. |
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