ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Tuesday successfully conducted the training launch of the medium-range ballistic missile Hatf V (Ghauri), Inter-Services Public Relations announced.
The Strategic Missile Group of the Army Strategic Force Command conducted the launch on the culmination of a field training exercise that was aimed at testing the operational readiness of the armed forces.
Ghauri ballistic missile is a liquid fuel missile which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads over a distance of 1300 kilometers. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wyne, Strategic Plan Division Director General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Army Strategic Force Command Commander Lt General Jamil Haider, KRL Chairman Karim Ahmed, NESCOM Chairman Muhammad Irfan Burney, and other senior military officers and scientists witnessed launching of the missile.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Gilani congratulated all ranks of the Army Strategic Force Command on the excellent standard achieved during training which was duly reflected in the proficient handling of the weapon system in the field and the accuracy of the training launch.
Pakistan can be justifiably proud of its defence capability and the reliability of its nuclear deterrence, he said. This capability formed the bedrock of the security policy and would continue to be enhanced, he said.