Pak tests-fires long-range ballistic missile

Islamabad, Apr 29: Pakistan today test-fired a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km an official statement said.

''Pakistan today carried out a successful test fire of its long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II) with outstanding results,'' said the statement, issued by the military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

It said the missile test had been conducted to validate additional technical parameters beyond those verified in the last test-firing in March 2005.

The Hatf VI is a two-stage solid fuel missile which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy, the statement said. An advanced version has a potential range of 2,500 km.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz witnessed the test, which took place at an undisclosed location.

REUTERS