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Pak test fires another nuclear capable missile

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Reuters

Posted online: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 11:17:05
Updated: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 11:35:26


Islamabad, February 13: Pakistan on Wednesday test-fired the short-range, nuclear-capable 'Ghaznavi' ballistic missile that can target northern and western Indian cities as the government vowed to "retain a strong conventional and unconventional deterrence".

A strategic missile group of the Pakistan Army conducted a successful training launch of the Ghaznavi or Hatf-III missile with a range of 290 km at the end of an annual field training exercise. The location of the firing was not disclosed by the military.

This was the third test of nuclear-capable missiles by Pakistan since late January.

Earlier, the Shaheen-I ballistic missile, which has a range of 700 km, and the Ghauri ballistic missile with a range of 1,300 km, were successfully tested by the the Army's Strategic Force Command (ASFC).

Wednesday's launch was witnessed by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani senior military officers and scientists.

A statement issued by the army said, "With this launch, ASFC also concluded its highly successful winter collective training, wherein various missile groups conducted firing of live ballistic missiles under a realistic operational environment."

Soomro said Pakistan stood for peace in the region.

"Peace comes from strength whereas weakness invites aggression. The Pakistani government is fully committed to retain a strong conventional and unconventional deterrence and will meet all the needs of a strong national defence," he said addressing the troops.

Soomro said the country is proud of its strategic forces and scientific organisations for having "developed and operationalised a strong nuclear deterrence capability".

Following the two previous missile tests, the government had sought to allay international community's concerns about the safety of its nuclear arsenal against the backdrop of the heightened political uncertainty and extremism in the country.

President Pervez Musharraf, who witnessed the test of the Ghauri on February 1, said Pakistan is capable of "thwarting all threats" to its nuclear capability, including possible attempts by foreign forces to secure its atomic weapons.

Kayani, who witnessed the launch of the Shaheen-I on January 25, too had dismissed the world community's concerns "as unrealistic and based on a lack of understanding of Pakistan's command and control mechanisms".

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Bharat Mata kare pukar by Ramesh on 14 Feb 2008

Bharat Mata kare pukar, Narendra Modi tu unhe lalkaar; jin muslimo ne mujhe jakhm diya hai, unka tu kar nar-sanhaar.

Pak burning by Norman on 14 Feb 2008

Pakistan is a gone case. They are in a shit state at present. They are only projecting themselves as Mighty Big, when they have to take dole (scraps of food)from Big Brother. They are insecure. One has to be careful of China. Remember 1962. While we are on the subject, would like to suggest that all those who are creating trouble internally here in our country, be it North/West/East/South, should be put on our borders to fight the real enemy. What is the use of hurting poor innocents. Here again insecurity?

Pak test fires! by Raju on 13 Feb 2008

Pakistan is facing internal disintegration, this short rang missile can be useful to Musharaf for NW province as India is beyond his reach. All Mushiboy can look from India is political assylum!

Pakistan by Dr. Mukesh on 13 Feb 2008

Pakistan tu kshamaa yogya nahi, subh-rastra kahlane yogya nahi;teri dharti kare pukar, zara tu kar aiye vichaar;islam tera dharm nahi, kya zara v tujhe sharm nahi;mulleh tere nahi pita, Hinduon ki tu hai santaan;jis Ghaznavi ne jakhm diya, usi ki tu kare gungaan;jis masjid me tu sajde karta, khari hai o mandir ke neev pe;Na aayate teri, na tera Kuran, tera granth to hai puraan;Kahan hai Multan ka surya-mandir, puch apne baap se:meeta de pakistan ka naamo-nisan, mukt ho ja dharti-ma ke shraap se.

Does Pakistan really want peace by Jitu on 13 Feb 2008

Anyone for India-Pakistan peace now? What do the likes of the candle-light vigil holding kuldip nayar have to say about this overtly aggressive move by pakistan? Do our pseudo secularists, so-called liberals and regressive communists still feel that we can expect anything other than hatred from pakistan? Even the names of their missiles reflect the extent of their anti hindu bais.

Hmm... by Anonymous on 13 Feb 2008

Hmm.. Pakistan is test firing Nuclear capable missiles, named after Ghauri and Ghazni - the twin barbarians who ravaged India. And the Chinks are talking about taking Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam. UPA is busy mollifying the Commies and trying to woo more minority votes by inventing innovative subsidies and reservations. The Indian media is busy with Shilpa, Munna Bhai and Valentine's day. When the BJP talks about Security, Congress says "you cant win an election on Security"!!Hmm...guess, Indians should migrate to other continents for safety - at least those who have the right qualification can try!!

Ghauri and Ghazni - pillaged Pakistan historically by Anonymous Coward on 14 Feb 2008

well if history is right, these barbarians raped and "brigandaged" their way through what was then united India and is today Pakistan (before settling in what is today's India). So Pakistan is so dumb that they *actually* name their deterrent after their own aggressor. Heh. Whats next i wonder!

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