Pak tests nuclear arms capable missile during poll season

New Delhi, April 10: In the middle of its election season, the

has conducted test firing of

-capable Hatf-IV ballistic missile with a range of 900 km. It means the missile can target cities and installations in India.

Shaheen range missiles have been developed by Pakistan for conventional or nuclear strikes on strategic targets in India, all of which are within about 900 km of Pakistan's border.

According to the Stockholm International peace Research Institute, a leading global watchdog on arms proliferation, Pakistan has 20-30 more nuclear warheads than India.

Meanwhile, the launch of Hatf-IV, also known as the Shaheen-1, was described by the military as successful. The "impact point" of the launch was at sea.

The missile incorporates series of improvements in range and technical parameters of the existing missile. Earlier on February 15, Pakistan had conducted a successful test of the Hatf II (Abdali), which is a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.

Since last year, Pakistan has tested a wide array of missiles, from the Hatf-IX tactical missile with a range of 60 km to the Hatf-V ballistic missile with a reach of 1,300 km.

The launch was witnessed by Strategic Plans Division chief Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, who said the improved version of the Hatf-IV "has consolidated and strengthened Pakistan’s deterrence abilities manifold". Senior military officers, scientists and engineers were also present at the launch.

OneIndia News