Pakistan test launches short-range missile

Islamabad, Dec 9: Pakistan's military successfully test-fired today a short-range range, nuclear-capable Hatf III Ghaznavi missile with a range of 290.

It was the third test launch of a ballistic missile in as many weeks, the military said in a statement.

''The launch came at the culmination phase of the training exercise, which validated the operational readiness of the Strategic Missile Group equipped with Ghaznavi missiles,'' the military said, referring to the unit that handles nuclear-capable missiles.

Pakistan's Hatf series of missiles is named after an ancient sword mentioned in Islamic historical books.

Pakistan conducted a series of nuclear tests in 1998, shortly after its old rival India conducted similar explosions.

The neighbours have fought three wars since their independence in 1947 and nearly went to war a fourth time in 2002.

Relations have improved since they embarked on a tentative peace process in 2004.

Reuters