Pakistan test-fires another missile

Pakistan today test fired another short-range missile called the HatfII or Abdali, an army spokesman said.

The Abdali missile can fly 108 miles and is capable of hitting most border positions inside India, where an estimated one million soldiers are amassed.

The two nuclear neighbours have been teetering dangerously on the brink of war since last December when the Indian Parliament was attacked. India blamed Islamic militants based in Pakistan. India carried out a series of missile tests in January.

A second assault earlier this month on an Indian army camp in Indian-ruled Kashmir that killed 34 people, most of them women and children, further inflamed tempers.

On Friday, Pakistan announced that it would conduct missile tests drawing international criticism for a move that was seen as provocative.

The Abdali short-range missile, like the previous two tested by Pakistan, can carry both a nuclear and conventional warhead. Pakistan has test fired three ballistic missiles since Saturday.

‘‘As part of a series of missile tests currently under way, Pakistan today carried out a successful test fire of its short range indigenously developed surface to surface HatfII (Abdali),’’ missile, an army statement said.