Pakistan test-fired a ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead on Tuesday, its second test in three days and barely a week after the government confirmed it would resume high-level peace talks with arch-rival India.
The test is the latest in a series carried out by India and Pakistan since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.
The military said it had fired a Shaheen 1A surface-to-surface ballistic missile which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads within a range of 900 kilometers.
“The flight test was aimed at re-validating several design and technical parameters of the weapon system. Shaheen1A is capable of delivering different types of warheads to a range of 900 kilometers,” a statement said.
Later, a security official confirmed to AFP that the missile can also carry nuclear warheads.
Relations between Pakistan and India — which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 — have always been fraught, but soured further last August amid a rise in clashes along their borders and a row over a Pakistani diplomat meeting Kashmiri separatists.
Last week, India’s Foreign Minister held talks with her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on the sidelines of a regional summit on Afghanistan, where they jointly announced they would resume high-level peace talks.
Press Release by Pakistan Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR):
Pakistan today conducted a successful flight test of Shaheen 1A ballistic missile. The flight test was aimed at re-validating several design and technical parameters of the weapon system. Shaheen1A is capable of delivering different types of warheads to a range of 900 kilometers.
Today’s launch with impact point in Arabian Sea was witnessed by senior officers from Strategic Plans Division, strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organizations.
Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, congratulated the scientists and engineers for their dedication, professionalism and commitment towards yet another display of strengthening Pakistan’s defence. Shaheen-1A with its sophisticated and advanced guidance system makes it a highly accurate missile system. He reiterated that Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are based on Credible Minimum Deterrence and desire for peaceful co-existence in the region.
The successful test launch has been warmly appreciated by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan who congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving another outstanding milestone.
