Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan test-fires short-range ballistic missile

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 3, IRNA
Pakistan-Missile test
Pakistan on Saturday carried out "a successful" test of a surface-to-surface nuclear-capable missile with a 200-kilometer range in an undisclosed location, the military said.

A statement issued by Pakistan's Inter-Service Public Relations said the short-range Hatf-II Abdali was an "indigenously developed" ballistic missile which could carry all types of warheads.

The test was aimed at validating the desired technical parameters, which has been successfully achieved, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations.

Abdali was last test-fired in February 2006.

According to a 2005 agreement, Pakistan and India are to give prior notification of any missile test.

The two arch-rivals, Indian and Pakistan, have been routinely carrying out missile tests since the countries conducted tit-for-tat nuclear tests in May 1998.

The two South Asian neighbors, which have fought three wars since gaining independence, have been engaged in a peace process since February 2004 and have taken several steps toward building mutual trust.

Officials of the two countries are scheduled to meet in Islamabad next week to discuss ways of cooperating against terrorism.

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