Pakistan hails 'nuclear' test fire success

Published on Saturday 29 April 2006 14:49

PAKISTAN today successfully test-fired a nuclear surface-to- surface missile.

The ballistic Missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II), which has a range of 1555 miles, can carry "nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy," the Pakistan military said. The new version of the Shaheen II missile is Pakistan's longest-range missile.

Pakistan informed all its neighbours, including India, in advance of the test, an official at the foreign ministry said, adding the missile test would not damage improving relations between the countries.

"No, it will not hurt the peace process," he said. The military statement did not disclose where the latest test was conducted.

After witnessing the missile test, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz congratulated the scientists, engineers and the technical staff for "achieving yet another milestone on the road to success".

Aziz also said Pakistan's strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place and served as a guarantee of peace in the region.