This Article is From May 08, 2010

Pakistan test-fires Nuclear capable missiles

Islamabad: Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired two ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the military said, and released video of the launches, watched by senior military and political figures including the prime minister.

The Shaheen-1 missile has a range of about 400 miles (650 kilometres), while the second Ghaznavi missile could hit targets at a distance of 180 miles (290 kilometres), an army statement said.

Both can carry conventional and nuclear warheads.

Pakistan routinely carries out missile tests.

Saturday's test came less than two weeks after the leaders of India and Pakistan met in the Bhutan on the sidelines of a regional conference, hoping to improve relations that have been strained since the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other senior army and civil officials witnessed the launches on Saturday, which "successfully hit the target areas," the statement said.

Pakistan became a declared nuclear power in 1998 by conducting nuclear tests in response to those carried out by India.

Islamabad test-fired its first missile that same year.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947, two over control of the Himalayan region of Kashmir.
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