India successfully test-fires ballistic missile Agni-5

New Delhi, Oct 27: India successfully launched surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-5 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha in Balasore on Wednesday.

The missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.

"The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India's stated policy to have 'credible minimum deterrence' that underpins the commitment to 'No First Use'," said the government statement.

The successful test-firing of the missile came in the midst of a lingering border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.