India on Friday test-fired a nuclear-capable cruise missile from Balasore in Odisha state, the Times of India (ToI) reported.

The missile, with the name of Nirbhay, has a range of over 700 kilometres, the ToI said, adding that today's test-fire was the second developmental trial of the missile.

The missile's first test was carried out on March 12 last year from the same base but "the flight had to be terminated mid-way, as deviations were observed from its intended course," the ToI quoted an official as saying.

The official added that Nirbhay has good loitering capability, effective control and guidance, high degree of accuracy as well as effective stealth features.

Also read: No one can warn India, China told

The long range capability Nirbhay is being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The test comes as India and Pakistan are engaged in skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary and also as India has conveyed to China that it could no longer be issued warnings by anyone saying the South Asian nation was now immensely powerful and held a prominent position on the international stage.

Explore: Heavy military spending hurting India, Pakistan: US report

Opinion

Editorial

Rampant lawlessness
Updated 25 Jul, 2026

Rampant lawlessness

THE brutal slaying of a judge and his guard in Mastung is the latest in a series of blood-drenched events that have...
Daily fuel pricing
25 Jul, 2026

Daily fuel pricing

THE government’s move to daily petroleum price adjustments should make fuel pricing more transparent and more...
The drug problem
25 Jul, 2026

The drug problem

WHILE Islamabad Police chase low-level peddlers, the capital’s kingpins have quietly taken their operations ...
A new chokepoint
Updated 24 Jul, 2026

A new chokepoint

WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has...
Improved rating
24 Jul, 2026

Improved rating

S&P GLOBAL’S decision to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘B’ with a stable...
More firetraps
24 Jul, 2026

More firetraps

WHILE it was already apparent that death traps dot Karachi, a safety audit by the Sindh government has thrown up...