Pakistan successfully tested a nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missile on Wednesday, the military said, less than a week after India test launched a long-range missile.
“Pakistan today successfully conducted the launch of the intermediate range ballistic missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A weapon system,” the military said in a statement. The missile is an upgrade of the Shaheen-1 weapon system with improved range and other technical parameters. It is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads.
The exact range of the missile was not revealed, but retired General Talat Masood, a defense analyst, said it would be able to hit targets up to 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers away—putting arch-rival India well within reach.
On April 19 India test fired its long range Agni V missile, which can deliver a one-ton nuclear warhead anywhere in China.
India and Pakistan—which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947—have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.
