India tests missile after Pakistan launch

INDIA successfully test-fired a medium-range nuclear-capable missile yesterday, days after its rival Pakistan launched a similar missile.

The Prithvi missile was fired into the Bay of Bengal from the test range in Chandipur in the eastern state of Orissa, the official said on condition of anonymity as he is not allowed to reveal his identity under ministry rules.

The test comes three days after rival Pakistan carried out a similar test of its Ghauri missile, also known as the Hatf 5.

The competing missile tests came after the countries concluded a crucial round of peace talks in New Delhi aimed at resolving their differences, including the issue of their territorial dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Peace talks often come under criticism from hard-liners in both India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947.

Yesterday’s test was “part of the country’s air defence exercises”, Press Trust of India quoted an unnamed official as saying.