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Pakistan test-fires nuclear capable ballistic missile

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 8, IRNA -- Pakistan carried out successful test-fires 
of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Wednesday as part of efforts
to boost its nuclear capability, the state-owned television reported. 
A successful test of a surface-to-surface Hatf-IV Shaheen-one with
a range of 700 kilometers was conducted, the PTV reported. 
"The missile can carry all type of warheads," it said, "All the 
required technical, parameters and designs were verified." 
President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz
congratulated the scientists and engineers on the successful test, the
report said. 
"Pakistan`s nuclear and missile program will maintain the pace of 
development and tests will continue to be conducted as per technical 
needs," PTV added. 
It said the Hatf-series of missiles have already been handed over 
to the army. 
This is the second test of ballistic missile by Pakistan in less 
than two weeks. 
Pakistan carried out a third test of a nuclear-capable ballistic 
surface-to-surface Ghaznavi missile of the Hatf series with a range of
290 kilometers on November 29. 
Pakistan had notified the neighboring countries about the test, a 
practice also observed by archrival India, which regularly carries out
tests of nuclear-capable missiles. 
In October, Pakistan test-fired the nuclear-capable ballistic 
missile Hatf V, a type of Ghauri missile with a range of 940 miles 
(1,500 km) which can carry a one-ton payload. 
However, Pakistani officials said in the past that the missile 
test was not intended as a signal to anyone. 
In March, Pakistan test-fired the Shaheen II ballistic missile 
with a range of 1,250 miles (2,500 km) and capable of carrying nuclear
warheads to every corner of India. 
Pakistan`s Hatf series of missiles, named after an ancient weapon,
includes the Shaheen and Ghauri missiles. 
The Ghauri was formally inducted into the military in January 
2003. 
It was developed by Khan Research Laboratories, Pakistan`s main 
uranium-enrichment facility, which was named after Abdul Qadeer Khan, 
revered as the father of the country`s atomic bomb. 
TK/TSH/2328/1420