Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Islamabad, May 8 (IANS) Pakistan Thursday conducted successful training launch of a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads, the military said.

The Hatf III (Ghaznavi) missile has a range of 290 km, Xinhua reported citing an army statement.

The missile was tested at the conclusion of military exercises.

The launch was witnessed by Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif, and other senior officials.

The successful test launch has also been warmly appreciated by President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who congratulated the participating troops, the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.