Pakistan on Wednesday successfully launched an upgraded ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead just a few days after India conducted its own missile test of a nuclear-capable, long-range missile, Agni-V. The Hatf IV Shaheen-1A missile was launched into the sea, said an ISPR statement issued here after the missile test. The missile was described as an intermediate-range missile having a longer range than its predecessor, Shaheen-1, which is believed to fly up to 465 miles.
“The improved version of Shaheen-1A will further consolidate and strengthen Pakistan’s deterrence abilities,” said Lt General (r) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, who witnessed the launch of the missile. India had announced last Thursday that it had successfully test-launched a new nuclear-capable, long-range missile, the Agni-V, which has the range of 3,100 miles. The new missile test by Islamabad was described by western media as a response on part of Islamabad to New Delhi’s Agni-V test. However, a security official here belied those reports saying that was not the case as the latest test was planned days ago and more over both Islamabad and New Delhi notified each prior to such tests in accordance with an agreement of advance notification of ballistic missile tests. The ISPR statement said, “Pakistan today successfully conducted the launch of the intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A Weapon System. The missile is an improved version of Shaheen-1 with improvements in range and technical parameters. It is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads.”
Pakistan successfully test-fires nuclear capable missile
