Pakistan fires nuclear-capable missile as tests continue

PAKISTAN yesterday test-fired a nuclear-capable missile able to hit many targets inside its arch rival India.

It was the third and last in a series of tests, the army said, but longer-range missiles are to be tested soon.

The medium-range, surface-to-surface Hatf-4, also known as the Shaheen-1, was successfully test-fired from an undisclosed location. The missile has a range of 435 miles.

The Indian Defence Ministry had no immediate comment on the test. Pakistan has insisted the tests are not aimed at its rival.

India and Pakistan, both nuclear- armed countries, are bitter rivals who have fought three wars since their 1947 independence from Britain.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri said the tests were part of the regular schedule of its weapons programme, and not in response to any moves by India.